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Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Taste is sweet, nature is neutral. Non-toxic. Some say slightly toxic. It belongs to the substance of extreme Yin, living in deep marshes. There are three types: yellow, white, and red. (In Yanzhou, the red carp is called Xuanju [Black Horse], the white carp is called Baiji [White Horse], and the yellow carp is called Huangzhui [Yellow Horse]; all names are borrowed from horses, as it is said to be ridden by immortals.) Although their sizes vary, the head and tail together possess thirty-six scales. This is a sign of Yang returning after Yin reaches its extreme, thus enabling it to transform magically and fly. (Fishermen on rivers and lakes once said: When catching this fish, although it has only thirty-six scales, it weighs no more than thirty-six jin, solely because it transforms into a dragon too early, not having enough time to grow large like other fish.)

Preparation requires removing the black blood and two tendons on the back of the spine (due to toxicity). Alternatively, chop it up and boil with rice flour to make soup, slice it and mix with garlic to make raw fish slices (Kuai), or burn it to ash and take with rice gruel. Apply according to the disease's suitability and follow prescriptions. It reduces edema and fullness caused by leg swelling and qi stagnation; it is also good for treating abdominal distension and swelling. It treats pregnancy-related body swelling to calm the fetus, and is particularly wonderful for treating jaundice and Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). It drives out cold qi and Pi Qi (accumulated masses), treats Fu Liang (subdiaphragmatic masses); stops dysentery with intestinal bleeding, and treats cough, counterflow qi, and wheezing. It is forbidden to eat after recovering from epidemic febrile diseases (Tian Xing Bing) (eating it again will cause death). Those with chronic conditions in the abdomen must avoid tasting it. If taking Tianmendong (Asparagus cochinchinensis root), do not eat the carp head, due to conflicting natures. (If poisoned by mistake, floating duckweed [Fuping] can resolve it.) Carp roe should not be eaten with pig liver; carp bile should not be taken with bean ear pus. Carp bile can be dripped into the ear; it can be applied to sores.

Long-term consumption is never excessive; it strengthens the physique and benefits willpower and Qi. Burned carp bone ash treats genital ulcers; boiled carp brain porridge removes sudden deafness. Carp teeth treat Shi Lin (stone strangury); carp skin treats Yin Zhen (urticaria). Carp blood applied to the body surface treats Dan Du (erysipelas); carp intestine treats internal abdominal sores. Carp fat regulates pediatric convulsions and epilepsy; carp scales stop postpartum abdominal pain.

Mullet (Qing Yu) resembles carp but has a distinctly green back; its species mostly come from the south and can be used as food. It is effective for treating Hong Kong Foot (tinea pedis/foot qi) and spiritual for dispelling damp-bi syndrome. Forbidden to eat with sunflower leaves, beans, coriander, and perilla; strictly avoid eating them together. If taking Aozhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) and Baizhu (Atractylodes lancea), also avoid contact with lips. Mullet gallbladder juice dripped into the eyes cures eye pain immediately; dried in the shade (collected and dried in the twelfth lunar month) and swallowed with saliva, it instantly revives throat obstruction (Hou Bi).

Sturgeon (Xun Yu) head, when placed on a pillow, steamed until qi circulates, and then sun-dried, can substitute for amber. It also treats heart and abdominal pain; wine vessels made from it serve as ornaments. Preserved sturgeon eyes enable night vision.

Perch (Lu Yu) is fragrant and delicious; Zhang Han once longed for it. It harmonizes the stomach and intestines, benefits the kidneys, bones, liver, and tendons. Hilsa shad (Shi Yu) is sweet and fatty, often used for tribute; it tonifies deficiency and fatigue but triggers Gan Ji (childhood malnutrition syndrome) and chronic stubborn diseases. Sturgeon induces toxicity of various medicines; making it into dried fish (Xiang) is particularly detrimental to humans. Adults eating it suffer sudden heart and abdominal pain; children eating it develop Zhixia (abdominal masses) and cough. Those taking Danshi (cinnabar and realgar pills) who eat it suffer from heat-in-blood sores; cooking it with dried bamboo shoots generates Paralysis Wind. Sturgeon roe kills small worms inside the abdomen and makes the limbs plump and lustrous.