Xiaotuo Reservoir Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Xiaotuo Reservoir Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Xiaotuo Reservoir, also known as Shaotuo Reservoir, is located in Xiaotuo Village, Qingyuan Township, Shouning County, Fujian Province. It was first built in 1958. The total reservoir capacity is 4.26 million cubic meters, with an effective capacity of 2.77 million cubic meters.

Xiaotuo Reservoir serves as a fitness base for the Shouning County Swimming Association

Xiaotuo Reservoir is home to the Chinese first-class protected animal known as the “panda of the water” — the freshwater jellyfish, or Craspedacusta.

Freshwater jellyfish are small, freshwater-dwelling jellyfish, with 11 species recorded so far. They live in clean rivers and lakes. Their life cycle consists of both asexual and sexual reproduction stages. Living in freshwater, they are also called freshwater medusae. They are about 2 centimeters in diameter, with hundreds of short tentacles around the edge of their bell-shaped bodies. The polyp stage is about 2 millimeters high, lacks tentacles, and reproduces jellyfish via budding. As a globally endangered species, it is a Chinese first-class protected animal and is known as the “panda of the water.” Freshwater jellyfish are primitive, lower invertebrates that originated approximately 550 million years ago, truly earning the title of “living fossil.” They hold significant research and ornamental value. As a species formed through the process of biological evolution, their status is no less important than that of the giant panda. The unique genes of freshwater jellyfish are of great value to modern genetic engineering research and also provide insights into the genetics and evolution of species. Freshwater jellyfish record the development of life on Earth through their distinctive life forms.

The presence of freshwater jellyfish in Xiaotuo Reservoir indicates excellent water quality. When conditions are suitable, dormant freshwater jellyfish will awaken and reproduce rapidly, typically appearing in warm waters during spring and autumn, and disappearing in winter. However, as long as good water quality is maintained, they may be seen again every year.