1 day Ago By Jace Tunnell
Beachcombers along the Texas coast are in for a fascinating find this week as floating sea anemones (Actinecta sp.) have been washing ashore. These unusual anemones are rarely seen on land because they spend their lives drifting in the open ocean, clinging to floating debris.
They literally look like bird poop if you did not know what to look for. Their presence hints at recent offshore currents bringing in a mix of marine life, including fresh sargassum seaweed, Portuguese man o’ wars, and sea beans. Unlike most sea anemones that attach to rocks or the seafloor, the floating sea anemone has adapted to a life at sea.
It can attach to floating objects such as seaweed, feathers, and even plastic. Some individuals have been found gripping onto Portuguese man o’ wars, possibly gaining protection from predators by associating with the venomous siphonophore. Their tentacles, lined with stinging cells called nematocysts, help them capture tiny plankton from the water.
Though they are not dangerous to humans, handling them should be done with care, as their stings may cause mild irritation. Alongside the floating sea anemones, fresh sargassum seaweed has begun making its seasonal arrival. This brown, floating algae serves as a vital habitat for juvenile fish, shrimp, and crabs in the open ocean.
I always enjoy shaking it out to see what critters fall out, including shrimp, crabs, nudibranchs, and sea horses. Also appearing are Portuguese man o’ wars, known for their striking blue tentacles that deliver a painful sting. These colonial organisms, often mistaken for jellyfish, are propelled by the wind, their gas-filled floats keeping them at the ocean’s surface.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stung by these creatures, but I’m a slow learner. With so many fascinating finds arriving on Texas beaches this week, now is a great time to explore the shoreline. Just be sure to admire the creatures from a safe distance and enjoy nature’s latest delivery from the Gulf.
Jace Tunnell is the Director of Community Engagement for the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. His Beachcombing series appears on YouTube and you can follow Jace at harteresearch.org , or Facebook (facebook.
com/harteresearch), Instagram (@harteresearch) and X (@HarteResearch) (the platform formerly known as Twitter)..
