HK$1,000 for goldfish photo? Iconic Hong Kong pet market leaves some mainland tourists frustrated over rules on cameras
- Visitors have been warned not to take photos at goldfish market in Mong Kok without getting permission or paying fee
- Flash photography can scare fish and people taking photos can obstruct operations, says shop owner
Vendors at Hong Kong’s iconic goldfish market in Mong Kok have warned shoppers and tourists not to take pictures of animals and marine life as crowds are expected to descend on the attraction during the Easter holiday from Friday.
Tourists and residents alike are attracted to the tanks of colourful fish and reptiles and often attempt to take pictures of them. A mainland Chinese tourist recently claimed she asked permission to take photos at a shop and was told she would need to pay HK$1,000 (US$127) per picture.
The frustrated tourist said on the mainland social media site Xiaohongshu that she was unaware of a notice banning visitors from taking pictures without the shop owner’s permission. She decided to leave and look for another shop where she could take photos.
Shop owner Tony Lo is one of the many shop owners who have banned photography at his store because many tourists use flash and set up tripods. “Such behaviour would scare my fish and obstruct our operation,” he said, adding he would usually ask them to leave.
Located on Tung Choi Street and spanning some 300 metres (984 feet), the goldfish market is lined with shops selling ornamental fish and aquarium products, as well as other pets such as tortoises, frogs, lizards, cats, dogs and rabbits.
With the influx of tourists following the resumption of restriction-free travel, the area is expected to be packed with visitors during the Easter holiday between Friday and Monday.
Some shops have signs stating that photography is prohibited inside their premises, while others have no such restrictions.
Shop owner Lo has been running his business in the area selling a variety of goldfish for more than 10 years. He said despite a clear sign saying “no photo or video taking” on one of the fish tanks at the entrance, there were an average of between 20 and 30 people going to take photos of the fish or selfies inside the store every day.
Another shop operator Vita Cheung, who sells goldfish at a nearby premise, also echoed Lo’s concerns.
She said although her shop did not prohibit photo taking, those taking pictures rather than buying pets affected her business by blocking the view of potential customers at the tiny premise. This hampered sales that had already plunged since the reopening of the borders between Hong Kong and the mainland.
Cheung said she seldom had buyers from the mainland because tourists were not allowed to take goldfish across the border. But since travel restrictions dropped, more Hongkongers were leaving the city, resulting in a declining number of local customers, she said, adding her monthly revenue had decreased by about HK$7,000.
She said she usually just urged people to take photos quickly and leave. “It is out of courtesy for us to let them do it,” she said.
