The Goldfish Market is situated at the heart of Hong Kong and is home to various kinds of tropical freshwater and marine fish, reptiles, amphibians, vivarium, and water plants for petting a fish. Apart from goldfish, you can also find other exotic creatures in this market.

So why goldfish? In Chinese culture, they hold significant value because of the practice of feng shui, which aims to harmonize humans with their surrounding environment. Originating from China, goldfish has become an auspicious symbol as gold indicates wealth and money, while the Chinese word for fish, "yu" means "abundance." Hence, goldfish has become a popular pet in Chinese households, and it's also customary to have a dish of fish during the Chinese New Year, bringing the blessing of an abundance year ahead.

When you visit the Goldfish Market, you'll find fishes either in tanks or plastic bags, with each bag having a number indicating the price of the fish. On average, a bag of goldfish costs around HKD 30-50, which is nothing compared to the rent the shop owner pays to the property developer in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a well-known capitalist city, making it challenging to accommodate small businesses like marine fish trading. With rising land and rental prices, many fish stores have been forced to close. Shop owners have to sell around 4,000 bags of goldfish to pay off the rent, which can be up to HKD 100,000 (or USD 13,000) every month. To avoid these skyrocketing prices, many stores have moved out of the ground floor, relocating to upper floors or narrow alleys. If you happen to fancy some special animals like reptiles and amphibians, you should check them out when visiting the Goldfish Market.

You might notice several dogs and cats shops in the Goldfish Market. This is because the business of dogs and cats is more sustainable than that of goldfish since a dog or cat can cost more than HKD 20,000.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Goldfish Market:

1. Some of the sea creatures in the market do not have price tags as they are rare and valuable species. For instance, a Golden Coin Turtle is priced at HKD 40,000 to 50,000.
2. Avoid taking pictures inside the stores. Store owners usually do not appreciate it, and their service and temper can be unpleasant.
3. If you're at the Goldfish Market in the morning (~10 am), you might see the store owners dumping some fishes away. These are usually low-priced and unwanted fishes.

Besides the Goldfish Market, the Flower Market and Bird Market are also nearby. You should also consider visiting these markets while exploring the Goldfish Market.

To start your day in Hong Kong, head to Mong Kok and explore these bustling markets!