Goldfish Street
Dying and TransformingChapter 1
History
Goldfish Street
Dying and TransformingChapter 1
History
Located in Mongkok, the "Goldfish Street” is known for the whole street selling goldfish since 1950s.There are two turning points of the street.
One is in 1980s, the reconstruction of the railway station nearby gave the street an opportunity for prosperity.
The business reached its peak during the 1980s and early 1990s. At that time, Hong Kong was in the top five world exporters of live tropical fish for aquarists globally.
The other one is 1997, after the return of Hong Kong to China, the rising tourism of Mainland tourists traveling and Mainland people migrating to Hong Kong led the rent of the street to increase, forcing more and more shop owners to move out.
Chapter 2
Goldfish and Fortune
Q: Why is arowana a kind of popular goldfish?
Arowana looks like dragon which is a very magical creature in Chinese people’s hearts. Because ancient emperors were regarded as the symbol of dragon. And also, in traditional fortune culture, arowana means wealth and luckiness.
Q：How is color related to the Fortune？
About the store:
Nature Aquarium is a 22-year-old tiny store, located at middle part of Goldfish street. It mainly sells arowanas which is said to bring wealth and fortune to its owner. Those arowanas are all imported from south-eastern Asia, with each selling for several thousands HKD. Though seem to be expensive, they are much cheaper than decades ago and attract more and more young people to buy. However, in general, the store’s operation status is becoming worse. It now mainly relies on a group of loyal customers who believe in the special meaning of arowanas or have great passion to raise them.
Chapter 3
Dilemma of Goldfish Business
Shengsheng Aquarium is hidden in an inconspicuous building which is hard to find. Liang Sheng, the 62-year-old owner, has been running this Aquarium for 37 years. He mainly sells koi fish and goldfish. However, nine years ago, he had to move his roadside store to the inner corner due to the extremely high rent. In recent years, Shengsheng Aquarium is facing greater difficulties, higher operating cost, fewer customers, fiercer competition and so on. When talking about the transformation and future of his goldfish store, Liang Sheng showed his helplessness and frustration…
“This goldfish market is massive before 1997 (the return of Hong Kong). However, after that, it’s getting worse year by year.”
“I’m too old to change my business, and I will maintain this business for as long as I can.”
Chapter 4
Transformation of Goldfish Business
When walking into Legend Aquarium, you will be absorbed in different kinds of trophies and awards.
Legend Jie, the owner of the aquarium, began to do tropical fish business 10 years ago. Expensive and fancy tropical fish is the biggest feature of his aquarium. Under great competition, he finds a special way to promote his fish. In recent years, he has attended hundreds of international fish competitions and won plenty of awards, which helps to attract customers from all over the world. In addition, he began to use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to advertise his fish. Legend Jie says he hopes the Legend will be known by more people…
“In China, WeChat is really powerful”
“We use those awards to promote the business.”
HOW TO GET TO THE GOLDFISH STREET FROM HKU
MTR
Take the MTR Island Line towards Chai Wan, exit at Central or Admiralty station, change to Tsuen Wan Line towards Tsuen Wan and exit at Mongkok station. Exit the station from exit B3.
39minutes
BUS
Take bus 23 or 40M from HKU east station, change to bus 970 or 970X at Lady Ho Tung Hall, Pokfulam Road station. Get off at Mongkok Bute Street station.
50minutes
WALK
Good Luck! 105 minutes!
Located in Mongkok, the “Goldfish Street” is known for the whole street selling goldfish since 1950s.There are two turning points of the street.
One is in 1980s, the reconstruction of the railway station nearby gave the street an opportunity for prosperity.
The business reached its peak during the 1980s and early 1990s. At that time, Hong Kong was in the top five world exporters of live tropical fish for aquarists globally.
The other one is 1997, after the return of Hong Kong to China, the rising tourism of Mainland tourists traveling and Mainland people migrating to Hong Kong led the rent of the street to increase, forcing more and more shop owners to move out.