Ren Yu 人鱼

The source of the River Jue (决水 jué shuǐ) is located on this mountain1 and flows east into the River Huang (黄河 huáng hé). In the waters there are many Ren Yu, they resemble Ti Yu (䱱鱼 tí yú)2, have four limbs, and make a sound similar to that of a crying baby. Consuming their flesh can protect the consumer from madness. 

The Ren Yu is mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas a total of six times (i.e. is recorded in six separate bodies of water). As a direct translation, Ren Yu (人鱼) means "Human (人) Fish (鱼)", which is why it is oftentimes misinterperated to mean "Mermaid" (美人鱼) - but the two are not connected in any way.

1 Long Hou Mountain (龙侯山 lóng hóu shān)

2 The Ti Yu is a fish described in a later passage in the Classic of Mountains and Seas and is said to resemble a long-tailed monkey with long legs and chicken-like claws. It's feet are white and face one another. Consuming their flesh will protect the consumer from a suspicious mind and from military disasters. 

Ren Yu 人鱼 (rén yú)
Status: Rare Beast
Gender: Male or Female
Pronunciation: (audio file coming soon)
Best known for: Fish that resemble humans

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