Appears as an Ichthyoid, flat-long, with incurvated head and tail, 8-30 cm long, the maximum cross diameter 2-3 cm. Surface, grey-dark, becoming yellow-white when the epidermis is removed.

Head somewhat like a horse head, constituting a right angle with the trunk, jaw long and protruding, a crown process presenting on the top of the head.

Many corrugated annular makrs and processes appearing on the trunk and tail, dorsal fin visible; tail narrowing gradually and incurved. Sweet in taste, warm in nature, and attributive to kidney and liver channels.  ** 

** Ou Ming. Chinese-English Manual of Common- Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing, 1989.