Fact Friday
These are no ordinary jellyfish. The golden jellyfish in Palau’s Jellyfish Lake move together in a daily migration that follows the sun from one side of this marine lake to the other. Just like coral, these jellyfish have symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, living in their tissues. The zooxanthellae photosynthesize and then share nutrients with the jellyfish, which it needs to survive. Once the sun goes down, the jellyfish migrate back to the other side of the lake where they begin the cycle all over again the next morning.
Photo Credit: ©ILCP/Keith Ellenbogen
April 25, 2025
Smooth Trunkfish
Why does this fish have such a peculiar body shape? This odd-shaped fish is called a “boxfish.” Unlike other fish, it has an armored bony carapace that looks like one large bone, rather than many small bones. Boxfish are like knights. They have great protection with their rigid and tough armor, but they give up speed and mobility for this protection.
Photo Credit: Philip Renaud
