A burst of electric blue is drawing attention along the Texas Gulf Coast—but it's not plastic or sea glass. It's the Blue Button, a stunning marine organism making seasonal appearances on beaches from Galveston to Corpus Christi.
Along the Texas Gulf Coast, beachgoers are meeting a stunning and surprising guest this summer: the Blue Button, scientifically referred to as Porpita porpita. While it might look like a jellyfish, specialists are eager to point out—it is, in fact, something much more extraordinary.
Galveston Island State Park reveals that the Blue Button is not a jellyfish; rather, it is a floating colony composed of tiny marine creatures. “Did you catch a glimpse of something shimmering in electric blue on the beach?” “That’s a blue button … not a jellyfish, but a floating colony of tiny animals!” the park shared in a recent social media update. Although these creatures are generally benign, they may cause slight skin irritation, which has led park officials to recommend that beach visitors admire them from a distance instead of making contact.
At Texas A&M University at Galveston, marine biologists enter the intriguing world of Porpita porpita, a fascinating organism characterized by its flat, disk-like form, often appearing in shades of whitish or golden-brown. This unique creature possesses small air chambers that enable it to gracefully float through its aquatic environment. The outer edges often display a vivid blue or green hue, from which graceful, elongated tentacles emerge, adorned with stinging cells that serve to ensnare plankton and various other prey.
The Blue Button typically reaches a width of about 2 inches and can be mistaken for similar creatures such as the “by-the-wind sailor” (Velella velella), yet it is distinct in that it does not possess the characteristic sail and features longer tentacles.
These creatures often make their appearance as the onshore winds carry them from the Gulf of Mexico onto the sandy shores. At first glance, they might appear as mere remnants of the ocean's depths, but a deeper look uncovers their captivating hues and distinctive forms.
Texas Parks and Wildlife encourages visitors to take a moment to appreciate the Blue Button and allow it to exist undisturbed. “Isn’t nature just strange and amazing?” they remarked.
As you explore the shores of Galveston, Port Aransas, or South Padre Island, stay alert—but remember to admire from a distance—this striking blue beachcomber awaits your discovery.
