Clarias fuscus（Lacepede）
Aliases：Jiaoyu, Andingyu (recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan), Xuzini (from Jizhui Dongwu Fenlei Xue — Vertebrate Taxonomy), Xushounian, Huzinian (from Yulei Fenlei Xue — Fish Taxonomy), Tushi, and Tangjiaoyu. (These are alternative names for Tangshiyu, i.e., Fuscous Catfish.)
Tangshiyu (Fuscous Catfish) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the meat of Clarias fuscus (Lacepede), a fish belonging to the family Clariidae. The body of Clarias fuscus is elongated, approximately 14 cm in length. The anterior part is flattened, while the posterior part is laterally compressed. The head is flat and broad, covered with a membrane on top; the posterior part of the skull protrudes, forming a triangular shape with a rounded end. The mouth is wide and inferior; the snout is broad, short, and protruding. The eyes are small with movable eyelids. There are two nostrils on each side; the anterior nostril is a short tube near the tip of the snout. The upper jaw is prominent; the lips are thick with distinct labial grooves; the teeth are fine. There are four pairs of barbels: one pair of maxillary barbels (the longest), one pair of nasal barbels, and two pairs of mandibular barbels (slightly shorter). The dorsal fin has 58–62 rays, without hard spines, with a very long base, and its end is continuous with the caudal fin. The pectoral fin is rounded with one hard spine; the pelvic fin has 6 rays and reaches the origin of the anal fin; the anal fin has 39–43 rays, with its origin immediately behind the anus. The caudal fin is rounded and fan-shaped. The body is smooth and scaleless, with a lateral line. The body is brownish-black, lighter on the abdomen, and all fins are grayish-black. Tangshiyu resembles a loach in appearance, and there are two transverse bones beneath the gills that can sting. It is a tropical and subtropical freshwater fish, inhabiting rivers, ponds, ditches and paddy fields with abundant aquatic plants, as well as dark caves in swamps. It is drought-resistant and feeds on small fish, shrimp, aquatic insects, and aquatic plants. It was first recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan (Seeking the Origins of Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies the Kidney, regulates the Middle Jiao, nourishes blood, and stops bleeding.
Indications
Chronic illness with general debility, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation), asthma, epistaxis, and retrograde menstruation (bleeding from the nose during menstruation).
Modern Pharmacology
Tangshiyu possesses tonic effects, including nourishing the liver and kidney, strengthening the spleen and stimulating the appetite, and supplementing the middle qi. Its meat is tender and easily digestible, making it suitable for individuals with weak constitution and malnutrition. Tangshiyu is rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and trace elements. The main unsaturated fatty acids it contains are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The nutrients released from simmering Tangshiyu with black beans and red dates help enhance disease resistance in individuals with a weak constitution.
Ingredients
Proteases: pepsin, digestive protease, and chymotrypsin. Unsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Other nutrients: abundant proteins, fats, minerals, and trace elements.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: cooked and eaten, 100–200 g.
Contraindications
Use with caution in gout patients: Tangshiyu is a medium‑to‑high purine food and should be avoided during acute gout attacks. Use with caution in individuals with allergic constitution: First‑time consumption should be monitored for adverse reactions such as skin itching or diarrhea. Use with caution in patients with chronic diseases or sores/ulcers. Use with caution in diabetic patients: Red dates are high in sugar; diabetic patients should reduce the amount added. Not suitable for individuals with unhealed wounds. Prolonged cooking of Tangshiyu may increase purine concentration; it is recommended to simmer for 1–2 hours.
Selected Formulas
For malaria, chronic malaria with debility (empirical formula) Take 90g of walking catfish (Huzi Nian), 60g of black beans, 10 red dates, and 1 piece of dried tangerine peel. Cook thoroughly and eat all ingredients together. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (empirical formula) Take 30g of pond catfish (Tangjiao Yu), 9g each of Dujijin (Striga asiatica) and Zibeijinniu (a local herb). Grind the latter two into powder, mix with the fish, add a little oil and salt, steam until cooked, and eat. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (empirical formula) Take 250g of walking catfish and an appropriate amount of chicken gizzard lining (Jineijin). Steam together until cooked and eat. For jaundice and chronic hepatitis (empirical formula) Take 250g of walking catfish, 90g of mung beans, and 3g of dried tangerine peel. Add water and cook until tender. Eat three times per week. For asthma (empirical formula) Take one pond catfish, make a small incision in its belly, insert 3g of Qiyeyizhihua (Paris polyphylla) rhizome, and steam until cooked. When eating, add a small amount of children's urine. Take once daily for 7 days as one course of treatment. For chronic vicarious menstruation with emaciation in women (empirical formula) Take 120g of pond catfish and 10 pearl guava flowers. Add oil and salt, stew together, and eat. Take 4-5 times per month. For epistaxis (empirical formula) Take several walking catfish, remove the internal organs and wash. Cook with 50g of black beans until done and eat. Alternatively, take several walking catfish, clean them, and cook with 150g of glutinous rice. When the rice is almost cooked, place the fish on top and continue cooking until fully done. Eat together. For deficiency fire pattern (dizziness, palpitations, bleeding, dry mouth, hot palms and soles, irritability, insomnia) (empirical formula) Take 60g of walking catfish and 60g of black beans. Decoct in water and eat. For kidney-deficiency low back pain or deafness (empirical formula) Take one walking catfish and 2 liang of black beans. Cook thoroughly and eat.
Daily Consumption
Tangshiyu and Black Bean Soup: Tangshiyu is cooked with black beans, red dates, and tangerine peel. This soup has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney, strengthening the spleen, and stimulating the appetite. Tangshiyu with Chinese Yam and Goji Berries: Use 20 g each of Chinese yam (Huaishan), goji berries (Gouqizi), and longan flesh (Yuanrou), 1–2 Tangshiyu (approximately 500 g), 300 g of pork, and 2–3 slices of ginger. The soup is delicious and nourishing, with the effects of tonifying the spleen and kidney, and nourishing the heart and blood. Steamed Tangshiyu: Tangshiyu is steamed with chicken gizzard membrane (Jineijin). This preparation is used to treat infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation) and indigestion.
Medicinal Parts
It is the whole body or meat of the fish Clarias fuscus (Lacepede), belonging to the family Clariidae.
Selection & Storage
This product should be stored refrigerated or frozen. After capture, they can be temporarily kept alive in clean water tanks with daily water changes to maintain freshness.
