Aquarium fish, Mong Kok

From my Hong Kong trip in January this year.    The Mong Kok area of Hong Kong is known for,  among other things,  being a centre for the sale of aquarium fish and associated supplies.    I found a street that was devoted almost entirely to the trade,  some of the shops having quite elaborate tanks on display with fish of all sorts,  colours,  sizes, etc.

Some storekeepers were more sensitive to photography than others,  so some discretion was called for when taking pictures,  with many potentially interesting sights not being shot. (Click on any of the images below to see more Hong Kong photos).

Aquarium fish shopfront with signage, Mong Kok
Aquarium fish shopfront, Mong Kok
Aquarium fish for sale, Mong Kok
Tending to aquarium fish, Mong Kok
Aquarium fish prices, Mong Kok
Goldfish and umbrella, Mong Kok
Goldfish in a crowded tank, Mong Kok

Taking photographs within the shops was problematic due to fairly low light levels. This necessitated using high ISOs and slow shutter speeds. Obviously, the images were captured handheld as using a tripod in a confined space with business being conducted and people moving about was not possible. In such circumstances, I found myself taking repeated shots and concentrating hard on keeping the camera as still as possible whilst releasing the shutter. Subject movement and associated movement blur are unavoidable, electronic flash is also impractical.

Black, orange and gold
live fish in plastic bags awaiting sale, Mong Kok
Fish in plastic bags, Mong Kok
Looking both ways, fish in plastic bags

Many of the shops had fish in plastic bags on display and ready for sale. Compressed air was injected into the bags as they were sealed. The impression I got was that the fish were in good health and tended quite well, obviously, it’s in the vendors’ interest to be so.

Live fish in a plastic bag, Mong Kok

These images are part of the Hong Kong image gallery.

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