2 weeks Ago By Jace Tunnell
Beachcombers who walk the Texas coast this March may spot an unusual jellyfish among the usual marine life. The Mushroom Cap Jellyfish (Rhopilema verrilli), a rarely seen visitor, has been washing ashore, offering a fascinating glimpse at one of the Gulf’s lesser-known species. Unlike many other jellyfish, the Mushroom Cap lacks traditional tentacles.
Instead, its stinging cells are located within its bell, which can deliver a mild sting to humans. Though not dangerous, contact can cause slight irritation, so handling them with caution is recommended. Named for their distinct mushroom-shaped bell, these large cnidarians can grow up to 20 inches in diameter—twice the size of the more common cannonball jellyfish.
The bell can appear in a variety of colors, ranging from translucent white to shades of yellow, blue, pink, or even green. Hanging below the bell are eight oral arms, which might be mistaken for tentacles but are used for feeding. The jellyfish’s digestive glands are also visible underneath the bell, adding to its otherworldly appearance.
Found in the western Atlantic and the Gulf, Mushroom Cap Jellyfish drift through the ocean, feeding on plankton. Like many jellyfish, they have a short lifespan, living less than a year as adults before their life cycle resets. Despite their rarity along the Texas coast, they are more commonly encountered in deeper waters.
While these jellies aren’t widely known in the United States, they hold culinary value in parts of Asia, where they are pickled or dried into a paste. However, their occasional strandings on Gulf Coast beaches are more of a curiosity than a harvest opportunity. For beachgoers lucky enough to come across a Mushroom Cap Jellyfish, it’s a reminder of the mysterious marine life that calls the Gulf home.
If you see one washed up, take a moment to admire its size, color, and unusual form—just remember to look, not touch. Tides this weekend will be lowest at mid-morning, making for great beachcombing after your morning breakfast tacos..
