Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Fish (yú) Character: Xi Kangxi strokes: 22 Page 1477, Entry 08 Pronounced xi. According to the Explanations of Characters and Phrases (Shuowen Jiezi), it is the same as the loach. According to the Erya (Erya), the xi is the loach. The commentary notes that it is the modern mud loach. The sub-commentary states that the xi, also known as the qiu, lives in mud. Additionally, according to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing), in the Xiao River, which flows west into the Yellow River, there are many xi-xi fish. Their shape is like a magpie with ten wings, and their scales are at the tips of their feathers. Their sound is like a magpie, and they can be used to ward off fire.