Get Up Close to the Rare Pink Meanie Jelly

One of South Africa’s most elusive jellyfish species can now be seen up close at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town.

A thriving pink meanie jelly (Drymonema sp.) is currently on exhibit in the Aquarium’s Jelly Gallery, captivating visitors with its striking appearance and impressive size.

“This remarkable individual has flourished in the Jelly Gallery, with a bell diameter of 20cm, and tentacles extending more than three metres in length. Although they are native to South African coastal waters, pink meanie jellies are rarely encountered, making this a special sighting for visitors over the coming weeks,” says, Aquarist, Ayrton King, at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

“Last year was the only time we have ever found more than one pink meanie at a time. This allowed us to attempt housing them together, discovering that they don’t eat each other, only other jelly species. We believe them to be at the top of the jelly food chain.”

Not only are these gelatinous invertebrates beautiful to observe, but they are also notoriously challenging to care for in aquaria. Pink meanie jellies are “jellivorous”, meaning they feed on other jelly species. Successfully housing and maintaining a specimen of this size is therefore a significant achievement.

It is  the second time in two years that the Two Oceans Aquarium has had the privilege of exhibiting a pink meanie jelly. The Aquarium achieved a first in April 2025, when five pink meanie jellies were successfully displayed in a single exhibit. At the time, Cape Town experienced a proliferation of night-light jelly blooms, and Aquarium aquarists observed multiple pink meanies feeding on these jellies side by side. This unique observation revealed that while pink meanies prey on other jelly species, they do not prey on one another and can be housed together.

The result was a spectacular exhibit that offered visitors a rare glimpse into the life of a species seldom seen, let alone sharing a space with others of its kind.

Now, visitors have another opportunity to experience these magnificent animals. This time, a single pink meanie fills the exhibit with its flowing three-metre-long tentacles and impressive 20cm bell, creating a truly mesmerising display.

Whether it is your first encounter with a pink meanie jelly or a chance to see one again, this is a rare opportunity to witness one of South Africa’s most unusual and beautiful marine animals up close.

Image supplied:  The elusive pink meanie jelly (Drymonema sp.) is currently on exhibit in the Aquarium’s Jelly Gallery, captivating visitors with its striking appearance and impressive size.