As is widely known,Money whole fish maw Considered the "king of fish maw," it ranks first among fish maw, is very rare, and is the most valuable variety of fish maw. It is said to be "as precious as gold." An American media outlet once listed 9 of the most expensive foods in the world, among which money sturgeon was included.
Money whole fish maw has long been highly praised in Chaoshan, Fujian, Hong Kong, and other regions. Money whole fish maw has extremely high medicinal value, excellent for stopping bleeding, especially effective for postpartum hemorrhage in women, severe gastrointestinal or lung bleeding, and has remarkable effects on the recovery of patients after major surgery. In times when medical technology was not advanced, the magical hemostatic effect and other medicinal benefits of money sturgeon fish maw were widely recognized by the public..
The most distinctive feature of money whole fish maw is its two long "whiskers." Chaoshan people classify them according to the size of the "whisker" into "small whisker money" and "large whisker money."
Money whole fish maw has always been highly prized. Compared with other fish maw, the most important point is that it quickly stops bleeding and various internal hemorrhages. Its efficacy has many examples in traditional medicine, and modern scientific research shows that its hemostatic effect is comparable to Yunnan Baiyao.
1. Small whisker money
The small whiskered money turtle, which is the local money shark, is the most valuable and highest quality variety among all types of fish maw. In the 1960s and 1970s, they were quite numerous, but since the mid-to-late 1980s, they have almost disappeared. Most of the existing small whiskered money turtles are over 30 years old. Due to their rarity and extremely high medicinal value, their value has continuously increased over the past twenty to thirty years, up to more than 3000 times, and currently, they are basically all collected by some connoisseurs.
The small whiskered money turtle has two small and long "whiskers." Some of these "whiskers" are as fine as silk and are called "silk thread money." The heaviest small whiskered money turtle can reach 3 catties, and according to the saying "a hundred catties of fish produces one catty of gum," the fish can weigh over 300 catties.
In terms of appearance, the small whiskered money turtle has the following characteristics:
1. The characteristic of the "whiskers" is that they are straight from end to end, and the sides of the "whiskers" do not have tooth mark-like edges.
2. In the middle of the colloid head, there is a V-shaped straight-stripe gelatin, commonly called the "coin tongue" in the industry. If the colloid is cut in the middle, the "coin tongue" is distributed on both sides of the colloid.
3. The surface of the colloid head is not smooth; there are some protruding gelatin on both sides, commonly called "bagua protrusions".
4. In the middle of the upper half of the colloid, there is a naturally formed small hole, called the "coin hole".
5. When exposed to light, the gelatin on the front of the small- whisker coin shows a "ripple pattern," while the back is relatively smooth.
6. The male fish maw (i.e., small-whisker coin from male fish) has a pair of nasolabial lines on the body, which are especially prominent on the back. The flesh has a "thick-thin texture," meaning the body is "thick in the middle and thin on both sides" or "thin in the middle and thick on both sides." The female fish maw has no nasolabial lines, and the thickness of the entire colloid is even.
Small Mustache Golden Money Fish Species - Yellow-lipped Fish
The scientific name of the small mustache golden-lined fish is Yellow-lipped Fish, belonging to the family Sciaenidae and genus Yellow-lipped Fish. It is a rare and precious large marine fish species, endemic to China. The Yellow-lipped Fish can grow up to 2 meters in length and weigh over 100 catties, making it the largest species in the family Sciaenidae in the South China Sea and one of the largest Sciaenidae species in the world.
The Yellow-lipped Fish is a rare species on the verge of extinction. Due to profit-driven severe overfishing and deteriorating water quality resulting from economic development, the Yellow-lipped Fish is nearing extinction. Since the early 1980s, the number of Yellow-lipped Fish caught each year has been very small, and the fish size has decreased year by year. By 1997, the Yellow-lipped Fish became extinct in local Hong Kong waters, becoming the first modern species in Hong Kong to go extinct due to human activities.
Medicinal value of Yellow-lipped Fish and its swim bladder:
Every part of the Yellow-lipped Fish is valuable. Its swim bladder is a special medicine for treating postpartum hemorrhage in women and an effective remedy for long-term infertility; its gills are effective for treating cough; its scales are significantly therapeutic for bronchitis, laryngitis, and cleft lips. Yellow-lipped Fish meat is rich in protein and is a high-quality source of protein (though the fish is said to taste bad, too dry). Folk legend says Yellow-lipped Fish liver is toxic, and people dare not eat it. In the 1970s, a fearless foodie official from the Pingyang County Fisheries Bureau boldly tried it. Within one or two days after eating, the face was normal. On the third day, facial peeling began, resulting in a mottled face. After a week, the old skin completely shed, new skin grew, as if youth was restored, and the body became strong.
Yellow-lipped Fish swim bladder, known as Small Mustache Golden Money Fish Maw, is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to have the effects of reinforcing the vital energy, greatly nourishing the essence, and strengthening the body. It also shows obvious effects on postoperative recovery. Its unique function of nourishing the liver and kidneys is comparable to Korean ginseng and has excellent hemostatic effects. Combined with Chinese medicine, it can also be used to treat tuberculosis, esophageal cancer, rheumatic heart disease, allergic purpura, aplastic anemia, and other conditions.
Clinical case examples of Small Mustache Golden Money Fish Maw:
Real Case One:
Experts and scholars related to the Department of Biology and the Medical College of Shantou University, in a report exploring the therapeutic value of fish maw for bleeding, clearly documented related cases, using precisely the small Xujin fish maw from Hong Kong, providing us with valuable empirical evidence. The condition was disseminated intravascular coagulation. The patient, Gao XX, male, 35 years old, married, engineer. Due to high fever, jaundice, and two days of bleeding, he was admitted in the fall to the Department of Infectious Diseases at Shantou First Hospital. Findings: Yellowed like orange peel, high fever, restlessness, thirst, panting, coughing with vomiting; hematemesis, hemoptysis, bleeding gums, hematuria, bloody stool, eye hemorrhage, flushed face, full-body rashes. His vomiting, slight, and bleeding were gushing like a spring; restless, throwing hands and kicking feet, delirious; tongue red and dry; pulse vigorous and rapid.
Dr. Liu Wushi immediately diagnosed: 'Yang jaundice with toxic rash, profuse bleeding from nine orifices, qi and blood both burning,' a critical condition. Western medicine diagnosis: subacute hepatic necrosis (then called "yellow liver contraction") with DIC. On the basis of modern comprehensive treatment, "Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction with modifications" was urgently administered, after two doses bleeding reduced, vomiting and bloody stool stopped in 3 days, rashes and fever subsided in 7 days. But due to deficiency of yin fluids, treatment switched to "Sweet Dew Drink" to nourish yin and remove dampness. Once the dampness was gone, hematuria persisted, and it was instructed to take "Golden Money Fish Maw" 5 qian, continuously for a month, leading to recovery.
The report noted that this case was DIC caused by vascular endothelial cell damage due to type A hepatitis virus toxemia. Clinical manifestation was 'profuse bleeding from nine orifices.' As the patient was a descendant of the richest family in pre-liberation Shantou, possessing both 'rhinoceros' and 'fish maw,' and thanks to the physician's clever use, life was saved from the hands of death. Rhinoceros horn and fish maw are miraculous substances; their effectiveness cannot be entirely dismissed.
Real Case Two:
According to records, more than 70 years ago, a woman in Nan'ao Island, Shantou, was on the brink of death from postpartum hemorrhage, with her burial clothes already prepared. Someone suggested trying to save her with Huanglian fish maw (small Xujin). The family purchased the equivalent amount of Huanglian fish maw for two qian of gold, boiled it with water and sugar, and fed it by spoon. Within ten minutes, her vacant eyes started to move; after an hour, upon taking a small amount more of fish maw water, she finally recovered. According to fishermen from Zhanjiang, there were elderly among them with weak health who regained health after eating Huanglian fish maw, and some said it was also very effective for gynecological problems, demonstrating the remarkable effects of small Xujin fish maw.
02. Large Xujin
The large-needled fish maw was formerly mainly sourced from San Francisco, USA, and therefore was initially also called 'Gold Mountain Maw'. In reality, the original habitat of the large-needled fish maw is Mexico, from where it was transported back to Hong Kong and domestic markets via Chinese merchants in places like San Francisco. In the past, due to underdeveloped communication and information barriers, many people mistakenly thought its origin was San Francisco.
Comparing large-needled fish maw with small-needled fish maw, the following characteristics can be noted:
Data shows that the largest large-needled fish maw weighs up to 3.5 catties.
1. The 'needles' of the large-needled fish maw are nodular, segment by segment, commonly called 'pig intestine needles'; in contrast, the 'needles' of the small-needled fish maw are straight.
2. In a complete large-needled fish maw, the 'needles' can reach 2–3 times the length of the gelatin body. As a result, the 'needles' of the large-needled fish maw often need to be coiled several times due to their length. In comparison, the needles of a small-needled fish maw of the same size are shorter.
3. The gelatin head of the large-needled fish maw is smoother, lacking the 'bagua gate' of the small-needled fish maw and without the 'V'-shaped 'gold coin tongue'.
4. Both large-needled and small-needled fish maws have a unique, delicate 'gold coin flesh'; the texture on the front gelatin body mostly resembles 'water patterns', while the back resembles 'mountain patterns'. In the past, older gels often had wrinkles, commonly called 'elder lines'.
5. Like small-needled fish maw, the upper part of the large-needled fish maw's body has one or more 'coin holes'. The small holes are naturally formed and not caused by human piercing.
6. Both the male fish maw and the female fish maw of Da Xu gold coin lack nasolabial folds and water pores. The main difference between male fish maw and female fish maw is that the tail of the male fish maw is thinner. The distinguishing feature between the male fish maw of Xiao Xu gold coin and the female gel is that the male fish maw has nasolabial folds and appears "thick and thin in texture," while the female gel has no nasolabial folds and the entire gel body is uniformly thick and thin.
Fish species of Da Xu gold coin - Mak's head stonefish
The local habitat of gold coin eels in Hong Kong is around 20 to 30 degrees north latitude in the Eastern Hemisphere, while the offshore gold coin eels are almost at the same latitude in the Western Hemisphere. The species name of Da Xu gold coin is Mak's head stonefish, belonging to the family Sciaenidae, genus Argyrosomus, and is a species of stonefish unique to the Gulf of California, Mexico.
The Mak's head stonefish is also an endangered species. Over the past few decades (1942 to 2007), its numbers have decreased by as much as 95%. The reasons are: 1) the successive construction of dams, which blocked freshwater, caused a large increase in the salinity of the bay water and temperature rise, which is not conducive to the growth of the stonefish; 2) it is too popular and overfished; 3) the stonefish has a long growth cycle and low reproductive rate.
Old Da Xu gold coin ray fish maw may not have "whiskers" because the stonefish swim bladder in the 1960s was large and thin. In the past, when people harvested the swim bladder, they were not as careful as they are now and directly cut off the "whiskers" to avoid trouble. Moreover, there was no custom at that time to preserve the "whiskers." Therefore, a considerable portion of old Da Xu gold coin does not have "whiskers." Of course, upon closer inspection, the head of the gel still shows traces of being cut off.
Medicinal value of Da Xu gold coin:
Cystitis, hematuria:
An elderly man in his 80s was diagnosed with cystitis and sought treatment at Shantou First People's Hospital. The bleeding was severe, and the urine bag quickly turned into a "blood bag." The "blood bag" had to be replaced repeatedly, and the family requested a hemostatic injection, but the hospital refused, believing the elderly man was too old and in poor physical condition for it. They immediately stewed 15 grams of Daxu Jinqian with water for 2 hours, and he took it around 11:30 p.m. that night. One hour later, the urine bag was observed to be clear (bleeding had stopped).
Uterine bleeding:
The patient had uterine bleeding caused by an ectopic pregnancy and was treated at Shantou Central Hospital. She had been hospitalized for over 20 days, and vaginal bleeding continued, unable to fully stop. After taking Daxu Jinqian three times, the bleeding decreased on the first day, stopped on the second day, and she was finally cured and discharged.
Leukemia:
Over 20 years ago, a young patient was diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized in a hospital in Guangzhou. After chemotherapy, due to a low white blood cell count, the patient was prone to infections and had to stay in the ward without moving around freely. Expensive imported growth factor injections were given daily to increase white blood cell count. After injections, the white blood cell count would rise, but it would immediately drop at the next interval, and the side effects of the injections were very obvious. Later, the patient switched to consuming Daxu Jinqian with whole fish maw, and after consumption, it was found that the white blood cell count increased. The growth factor injections were immediately stopped, and daily intake of Daxu Jinqian continued. The white blood cell count gradually increased, the body quickly recovered, and immunity improved accordingly, which amazed the doctors. After consuming it continuously for two months, he finally recovered.
Mild stroke:
A patient in his 60s suddenly showed symptoms of a stroke, including confusion, slurred speech, facial twitching, drooping corners of the mouth, and numb limbs. The family immediately massaged his limbs and then fed him 20 grams of Daxu Jinqian stewed in water for two hours. Afterwards, the patient gradually regained clear consciousness and was able to speak fluently.
Rheumatic heart disease, angina:
A patient experiencing angina ate Daxu Jinqian with whole fish maw, and within about 10 minutes to half an hour, the angina symptoms disappeared. Since the patient inherited Daxu Jinqian from ancestors, during the past 10 years whenever occasional angina symptoms occurred, this method was always used.
There are many examples of the medicinal effects of large-leaf fish maw. Some are manifested in hemostasis, some in blood production and replenishment, and some in the repair of tissues and organs. It is not difficult to see that most of its effects are consistent with the records and descriptions in ancient pharmaceutical books, modern medical texts, and traditional folk experience, possessing functions such as nourishing the liver and kidneys, enriching and activating the blood, and nourishing the tendons and vessels. It is a completely non-toxic natural hemostatic medicine.
Remember to remind you that the above cases are for reference only. If you are sick, you should first go to the hospital for a diagnosis. Large-leaf fish maw can only be used as an auxiliary treatment.
Fish maw buyback series reference
WeProfessionally buy back all kinds of fish maw, including small-leaf fish maw and large-leaf fish maw. We promise to provide a fair and reasonable buyback price and quick and convenient buyback services. No matter what type of fish maw you have, we are willing to provide you with professional buyback service at the highest standard.WeDeeply understand the value of fish maw, and our professional team will wholeheartedly provide you with a satisfactory buyback experience.
You can check before selling fish maw
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Common questions about fish maw pricing
Q: Is fish maw worth collecting as an investment?
A: Top-grade varieties (Golden Coin croaker, spider, wild white) have an average annual buyback price increase of 5–10%, outperforming some traditional financial products. But you need to choose the right variety and store it properly, otherwise the depreciation can be severe.
Q: Which type of fish maw has the strongest value retention?
A: Wild Golden Coin croaker maw (endangered species with very low yield) has the highest value retention; next are wild spider fish maw (deep-sea species); then wild white fish maw. Farmed maw prices fluctuate greatly and are not very suitable for collecting.
Q: How can you tell if fish maw is an 'old maw'?
A: The key to identifying the age is through 'look, smell, touch' — Look: the surface is glossy with an amber sheen; Smell: the fishy odor fades, leaving only a faint maw fragrance; Touch: the maw is firm, and weighs less than new maw. Well-preserved ten-year-old maw usually has a buyback price 30–50% higher than new maw.
Q: Golden Coin croaker maw is so expensive, could it be fake?
A: Indeed, some market items use other croaker fish maw as substitutes and require expert verification. True Golden Coin croaker features: thick maw sheets, yellowish-red flesh, coin-like texture with indentations, and a golden sheen under UV light.
Q: How can I sell the fish maw I have collected?
Answer: The simplest way is to send a few photos via WhatsApp, and our team will provide a preliminary assessment in a short time. Afterwards, a free on-site appraisal can be arranged, with cash settlement on the spot, saving time and effort.
Key points for photos before selling fish maw
When appraising fish maw, it's best to photograph the thickness of the gelatinous body, color, edges, and whether it is damp; send it via WhatsApp first, and we can preliminarily determine the approximate buyback grade.
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