Come visit an unusual beauty: A pink meanie jelly at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Visitors to the Two Oceans Aquarium have a rare opportunity to see one of South Africa's most elusive jelly species up close: A thriving pink meanie jelly (Drymonema sp.) is currently housed in our Jelly Gallery, captivating visitors with its striking appearance, impressive size, and flowing tentacles.

Although pink meanie jellies occur naturally in South African coastal waters, they are seldom encountered, making every sighting a special one. Even for our aquarists, opportunities to observe and care for these animals are exceptionally rare.

"This remarkable individual has flourished in the Jelly Gallery, with a bell diameter of 20cm and tentacles extending more than three metres in length," says Aquarist Ayrton King. "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."

Meet the ocean's jelly hunter

Pink meanie jellies are among the most fascinating jelly species found in South African waters. Their delicate pink colouring and long, trailing tentacles make them beautiful to observe, but beneath their graceful appearance lies a formidable predator. Unlike many jellyfish that feed on small plankton and drifting organisms, pink meanies are jellivorous – meaning they feed primarily on other jelly species. 

Last year, a proliferation of night light jelly blooms in Cape Town allowed our Aquarists to spot multiple pink meanies feasting on these jellies together in the V&A Waterfront precinct. This led to the discovery that although pink meanies prey on other jellies, they can be housed together as they do not eat each other.

This specialised diet is one of the reasons pink meanie jellies are so challenging to care for in aquaria. Maintaining a healthy specimen of this size requires significant expertise and careful husbandry, making its success in the Jelly Gallery a noteworthy achievement.

A mesmerising sight in the Jelly Gallery

Now, visitors have another chance to experience the wonder of a pink meanie jelly.

This single individual fills its exhibit with more than three metres of flowing tentacles, creating a mesmerising display as it drifts through the water. Combined with its impressive 20cm bell and delicate pink colouring, it is one of the most striking animals currently on display in the Aquarium.

Whether you are a jelly enthusiast, a marine life lover, or simply curious about the incredible diversity of South Africa's oceans, this is a rare opportunity to witness one of our coastline's most unusual and beautiful animals up close.

Visit the Jelly Gallery

Pink meanie jellies are not often seen in the wild, and opportunities to observe them in an aquarium setting are even rarer. If you've never seen one before – or if you were lucky enough to catch last year's exhibit – now is the perfect time to visit the Jelly Gallery and experience this remarkable species for yourself.