In the northwest of the South China Sea and the southeast of Hainan Island, there is a paradise of beautiful scenery and magnificence - the Xisha Islands, which are also known as a pearl in the South China Sea. "The sea in the Paracel Islands is half water and half fish. This is described in the primary school Chinese textbook "The Rich Paracel Islands". If you're lucky enough to be in the Paracel Islands, you'll know that primary school textbooks are not deceiving.
Blown by the tropical ocean monsoon, warm ocean currents carry nutrients from the deep sea, giving birth to China's rich underwater home. In the Paracel Islands, the diverse coral reefs provide a fantastic breeding ground for a wide range of marine life. A total of 777 species of coral reef fish have been recorded in the Xisha Islands, mainly bony fishes, and according to **, there are at least 860 species of coral reef fish there (Note: the number of fish species in the Xisha Islands is the author's statistics and is to be published, the same below). Let's take a tour of the colorful world under the deep blue and green sea, and get to know those colorful, diverse, and colorful fish.
Half water, half fish" of the Xisha Islands (Guangxi University) |Photographed
The "mandarin duck" in the sea - butterflyfishButterflyfish is a general term for the butterflyfish family, which is a small coral reef fish that generally lives in coral reef waters shallow below 20 meters. It is known for eating polyps and is therefore an indicator of coral reef health. Butterflyfish has a large family system (nearly 129 species in the world [1], 39 species in Xisha Island), and the thick family tree is full of brightly colored "petite beauties", which is favored by ornamental fish lovers and is a famous and valuable ornamental fish in the world. In addition, butterflyfish are lifelong single mates, which can be described as very loyal to "love", and usually swim and play in pairs in coral reefs. 
A wide variety of butterflyfish Wang Teng |Photographed
Butterflyfish traveling in pairs Wang Teng|Photographed
The "protector" of coral reefs - parrotfishParrotfish belongs to the parrotfish family, named because the teeth resemble the parrot's beak, so it is also known as "parrot fish", commonly known as Tsing Yi, is a class of tropical and ** coral reef fish widely distributed in coral reefs and seagrass beds. The parrotfish is a herbivorous fish, which uses its powerful mouth to nibble on coralline algae, clean up the seaweed on the coral reef rocky space, allow the polyps to attach smoothly, and promote the replenishment and growth of corals, so it is known as the "protector" of coral reefs. There are many species of parrotfish (nearly 100 species worldwide [1], 34 species in the Xisha Seas). Juveniles are generally reddish-brown (females at this time) and grow into males to have the same brilliant blue-green color as parrots.
The change of body color of parrotfish from female to male Wang Teng |In addition, I have to mention the interesting sleeping Xi of parrotfish. It will spend 1 or 2 hours weaving a "sleeping bag", like our mosquito net, and then fall asleep beautifully. This transparent membrane emits a pesky smell that makes enemies such as moray eels unpleasant, thus preventing itself from being attacked. Speaking of which, I can't help but praise the wit of the parrotfish! 
Parrotfish in a sleeping bag **From another trivia about parrotfish: parrotfish use their droppings to create attractive white sand beaches. That's because parrotfish eat large amounts of coral every day, excreting indigestible calcareous particles, which are important components of white sand beaches. A large humpbacked parrotfish (the largest parrotfish) can produce 5,500 kg of coral sand a year. 
Sand-producing parrotfish ** from
The "poisonous queen" in the sea - scorpionDemoiselle, also known as "lionfish", has a withdrawn personality and likes to live alone, and is known as the "poisonous queen" of the ocean. Its colors are gorgeous, including orange, black, brown, yellow, etc., mainly light reddish-brown, white and black stripes distributed vertically throughout the body. When swimming in the water, the scorpion will open its fins, which is very gorgeous and elegant, like a proud queen. But don't be fooled by its beauty. Once attacked, the poisonous thorns on the back of the scorpion will attack the enemy. Although the toxin is not fatal, it can cause headaches, vomiting and breathing difficulties if pricked, and can last anywhere from about half an hour to several weeks. 
Spotted shortfin scorpion (dendrochirus zebra) Wang Teng |Photographed
Devil's Carp (pterois volitans) Wang Teng |Photographed
The ugly "pretender" - the rose scorpionThe rose scorpionfish, commonly known as the stonefish, is named because it lies dormant in the rocks of the seabed, its body color can change depending on the environment, and it blends with the stone when it is motionless. Small fish and shrimp often frolic under its nose without feeling threatened, so it is also nicknamed the "lonely pretender" on the seabed. However, this guy who exudes that I am a "big grudge" is extremely neurotoxin, and is one of the most poisonous stinging fish. It has 13 stingers on its back, and if a person is stabbed, it will cause severe pain throughout the whole process, and in severe cases, it will have a reduced heart rate, difficulty breathing, and even death. Although the rose scorpion is extremely ugly and has been voted "the ugliest creature in the world", it is very delicious and can be called one of the most delicious fish in Xisha. However, it needs to be handled by a professional chef before eating. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica", stonefish can suffer from muscle and bone pain, and has the effect of replenishing deficiency in wetness.
Rose scorpion lurking in a stone moth (arrowhead) The original picture is from the Internet.
Rose scorpion (Synanceia verrucosa) Wang Teng |Photographed
The "aristocracy" who advocates "patriarchy" - the gilly fish
The glampfish, named after a spin in the lower corner of the back of the cranium, is commonly known as the "angelfish". Its bright colors make it one of the famous species of tropical ornamental fish, and it is also known as the "noble" in the water. Mainly found in tropical and warm temperate coral reefs with water depths of no more than 20 m, many species have distinctive colors and patterns in their juveniles, with the exception of species of the genus Achijiri, and rely on these bright patterns to deter attacks by exotic predators or adults of the same species. Except for the mating period, the capfish usually live alone, so "one aquarium cannot accommodate two capfish". In addition, the Crouchfish family is absolutely "patriarchal", and unlike the "dedicated" butterflyfish, the reproduction method of the Crouchfish is mostly "polygamous", that is, one male can rule over more than one female. And contrary to clownfish males can transform into females, once the males die or leave, the first line of the female will undergo a sexual transformation, becoming males and taking over the family. Among them, the main spiny fish, also known as the queen angelfish, is one of the most beautiful fish on the bottom of the sea, its whole body is golden and brilliant, the blue part of the adult fish is presented as fluorescent blue light, and there are blue patterns on the anal fin, which is very beautiful. Juveniles are completely different from adults, with a dark blue body color with some blue-white arcs and concentric circles at the caudal peduncle.
Cap fish Wang Teng |Photographed
The "big devil" who can swallow sharks alive - grouper
Think of grouper when you think of it? Did you know that wild groupers in the sea are the "big devils" of coral reefs? Groupers hunt their prey by swallowing them raw, and giant groupers can even swallow baby sharks and humans alive. This feared ruthless character also has a "nirvana" - ciguatera toxin. This is a marine algae toxin that is 100 times more toxic than tetrodotoxin and is concentrated in the brains and internal organs of groupers. However, groupers grown in coral reef waters accumulate this toxin because they have ingested poisons, while farmed groupers are not poisonous because they have not ingested poisons. In addition, some groupers are colorful and have different patterns, and are commonly called "red groupers" by fishermen, and also have a place in the ornamental world.
Grouper Wang Teng |There are many beautiful and peculiar fish in Xisha, such as humphead fish, snapper, sheepfish, spiny scale fish, damselfish, basket fish, pufferfish, etc., due to the space, I can't introduce them to you one by one, welcome to share later.
A variety of coral reef fish Wang Teng|Photographed
Write at the end
The Paracel Islands' stunning underwater scenery and colorful coral reef fish show the beauty of its rich biodiversity. "To each his own harmony to live, to each his own nourishment. "Biodiversity is what makes the planet alive and is the foundation on which humanity depends for survival and development. However, climate change, environmental pollution, ecosystem degradation and human activities (such as indiscriminate killing) have led to a sharp decline in the number of biological species on the planet and a rapid decline in biodiversity. Protecting the ecological environment, maintaining biodiversity, promoting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, and making the earth a home and warm habitat for all living beings require the unremitting efforts of the whole society!
References: 1] Nelson J S, Grande T C, Wilson M v H fishes of the world[m]. 5th ed. new york: john wiley & sons inc., 2016.
For more information about the reef fish of the Paracel Islands, please visit the following articles:
1.Li Yuanjie, Chen Zuozhi*, Zhang Jun, Jiang Yan'e, Gong Yuyan, Hong Xiaofan, Yang Yutao. Study on the biological characteristics of honeycomb grouper in coral reefs in the South China Sea[J].South China Fisheries Science, 2021, 17(6): 22-30(Click on the bottom left to read the original article).
2.Sun Dianrong, Lin Zhaojin, Qiu Yongsong, Wang Xuehui. Fish fauna of important coral reefs in Xisha Islands[J].South China Fisheries, 2005, 1(5): 18-25
3.Chen Guobao, Li Yongzhen*Composition and distribution of major coral reef fishes in the South China Sea[J].South China Fisheries, 2005, 1(3): 18-25
Written by |Wang Teng, Zhao Jinfa.
Edit |Zhang Liping.
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