Jellyfish Lake

2/9

Jellyfish Lake

Jellyfish Lake... certainly a cool experience! Especially since these guys have no reason to sting anymore, they have lost the ability. However, we spotted a few HUGE moon jellies which must have come through with water that slowly seeps into the lake from ocean fissures and tunnels in the limestone. The lake, however, is secluded, and you must take a small hike to get there. This island was previously inhabited, and pieces of broken pots are still scattered around off the trails. 

Located on the rock island of Eil Malk, the jellyfish have lived in seclusion for thousands of years, thus having no need to protect themselves and losing their sting. Before the last population drop, this lake was teeming with jellies. Many of the photos you will find will have divers surrounded by hundreds. We, however, weren't this lucky, but still saw plenty. You have to be very careful when swimming, as it is easy to damage the fragile creatures with abrupt movements and fin accidents. Nearing about 45ft below the water's surface lies an anoxic layer containing no oxygen and a high hydrogen sulfide content. All oxygen requiring organisms live above this layer. 

 Mastigias Jellyfish near the water's surface

Baby jelly

Even though it is a single species, there are still so many differences between each jelly such as spotting, tentacle length, and tentacle texture

The fuzzy white polyp on the left is a baby jellyfish in process 

Iro and the Seaplane

2/9

Iro Maru Wreck

Cuttlefish

2/9

Jake's Sea Plane

A goby with his shrimp pal

This stuff is definitely my favorite underwater plant; I would totally convert to a saltwater tank if there were a way to keep it

The wormiest sea worm seen so far (these corals look soft but they are very firm!)

Napoleon Hawrasse

2/8

Back to the Blue Corner

 Humanis Palauanis "Ken" with a Sweet Lips "Angelina Jolee" on the edge of the wall

 Unicornfish, one of the ugliest damn fishes in the entire ocean (it is delicate and tasty, however)

After reaching the hooking location at the wall, here comes Mr. Naploeon Wrass. He can recognize familiar faces from a great distance and is always hungry for hot dogs. No wonder he's so friendly. Several years ago, another much larger wrasse was resident here. However, he disappeared mysteriously. I have a sneaking suspicion he ended up on a dinner plate, as the Palauans claim that these fish the THE BEST to eat, especially their tender lips made into soup. Now, they are a protected species, but I sure didn't see too many of them, and especially of this size (this guy is only about 4-5 years old). These guys used to be fed eggs, but after a few panicked divers had their white regulators sucked out of their mouths, people refrain from feeding him any white foods. Even a Santa hat was mistaken as an egg, tragically ruining the Christmas spirit during an underwater dive. Shame.

Napoleon wrasse, finding no food

2/8

Ngmelis Coral Garden

Blenny

 Nudibranch

This Spadefish didn't have a turtle friend so he tried to make friends with us

Clarence Wall

2/7

Clarence Wall

Lionfish

Phyllidia cerisonhoffi (type of nudibranch)

Sleepy turtle

German Chanel and Turtles

2/7/19

German Channel

Bicolor Coralblenny

Sandperch

Lizard Fish

2/8

Turtle Cove

Tunnels and Islands

2/6/19

ULONG ISLAND

Morning stop to Ulong Island, which was inhabited in the 1800's and earlier. Remains of the village wall can be seen, as well as pieces of pottery scattered about. This was a Survivor filming location. Two of the contestants were disqualified for swimming to nearby boats requesting food. Funny, since the island is teeming with crabs especially at full moon when they all come out to lay their eggs- too bad the guys were too busy hiding in the caves to notice this potential buffet. The island is also covered in rats, which the government had tried to eliminate without success. They can swim, so there's no stopping the rodents from island hopping. They eventually declared defeat. Palau is very clean. However, this young coconut crab managed to find some trash and decide to make it his home. He will soon grow out of it and become a large, delicious but homeless crab that can go for $30/lb on the market.

                                                                                           Some kind of Asian Mimosa blossom on crack

SIAES TUNNEL

After exploring the island some, captain Ken took us out to the Siaes tunnel/cave where most of the the fish 

swam upside-down. I tell you this, but provide no evidence.

First nudibranch I've ever seen... boy it was so exciting!

Puffer

 Mimic Filefish

Twotone Dartfish

Saddled Butterflyfish

Phyllidiella pustulosa (type of nudibranch) 

ULONG CHANNEL

Pink Anemonefish

Freckled Hawkfish

Mariaglaja inornata (type of Head Shielded Slug)

Nembrotha (type of nudibranch) 

White Spotted Puffer

Blacktip Reef shark

Candycane Pygmygoby