Goby Lake

Goby Lake is a marine lake located on Koror island in Palau. This is a small (with just 2.1 ha) meromictic marine lake with a maximum length of some 260 meters and has formed rather recently (in geological terms). Bogy lake is comparatively shallow – only the larger north-eastern part reaches 18 meters in depth. Here, in the north-eastern part in 9 – 10 meters depth, there is an intense layer of purple-sulfur bacteria with anoxic water below.

Goby Lake is rich in species with small fishes of several species such as: Acentrogobius janthinopterus, Exyrias puntang, Ophiocara porocephala, Parioglossus, etc. The most renowned inhabitant of the lake though is an endemic subspecies of jellyfish Mastigias cf. papua nakamurai named after Palauan president Kuniwo Nakamura. This jellyfish is also called "golden jellyfish". Golden jellyfish can become quite abundant in the small lake. It reaches 15 cm in diameter, is somewhat asymmetrical, and avoids shadow.

Goby lake is one of five marine lakes in Palau used for several scientific types of research in evolutionary biology. This lake is also included in tourist routes although it is less popular than Jellyfish Lake. Lots of tourists come here to dive in the beautiful blue water, experience swimming with jellyfish, or just to enjoy the beauty of nature.