Abstract: Coral bleaching is one of the most serious threats to coral reef ecosystem. With the rapid rise of temperature and the continuous intensification of human activities, more and more attention has been paid to the physiological and ecological response and resilience of coral bleaching. In this study, we studied Goniastrea minuta and Galaxea fascicularis, and analyzed the composition, content and δ¹³C characteristics of alcohol biomarkers (n-alkanols and steroid) between healthy and bleaching corals. The changes of organic matter sources and flux before and after coral bleaching were revealed, and the recovery mode and ability of coral bleaching were elucidated. The results showed that in healthy G. minuta and G. fascicularis, the proportion of C_16-18 n-alkanols was the highest (79.7% and 79.8%, respectively), and the δ¹³C value was positive (mean −17.6‰ and −18.9‰). The steroid molecules and δ¹³C composition are basically the same. After bleaching, the content and proportion of n-alkanols in C_16-18 decreased significantly, while that in C_22-28 increased in the opposite trend. The steroid content decreased, but the amplitude was different, and the composition changed significantly, but the steroid δ¹³C showed a negative composition trend. Studies have shown that G. minuta and G. fascicularis are mainly heterotrophic, but the overall recovery rate is slower or less efficient, which may be related to the oligotrophic environment in the reef area and the lack of adequate food sources. In addition, the C_31-35 ketone compounds was detected in corals, which is inferred to be the product of human activities (biomass burning), man-made pollution combined with climate change, which can exacerbate coral bleaching and inhibit coral recovery. Therefore, the study of n-alkanols and steroid as lipid biomarkers in corals can reveal the main sources of alcohol compounds in corals and the recovery mode of bleached corals, which can make important contributions to coral scientific research.