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March 2000

Goldfish market

Photo and text by May Chan and Natalie Siu

In terms of sheer numbers, most of the creatures appearing on Boundary Street in Mong Kok every morning are not human beings, but goldfish. At about 5:30 a.m., hawkers, bring with them hundreds of goldfish they have raised, go to the street and sell the fish at discounted prices.

If you want to take the fishes home, you better set your alarm and get up early. At about 8 a.m., the pale daylight is strong enough to drive the hawkers away. When most Hong Kong people are starting a fresh day, the hawkers have finished their work. Nobody knows why they come only in the mornings, not even themselves.

Having inherited their businesses from their grandparents, the hawkers stake out areas inside the invisible boundaries between the shops.

Most hawkers said that probably the next generation will not take up this business. The future of the Mong Kong goldfish hawkers is as dim as the light of a street lamp.

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For the hawkers, torches are as important as goldfishes in the darkness. (Natalie Siu)

 

 

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For the hawkers, torches are as important as goldfishes in the darkness. (May Chan)

 

 

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The best way to see the fishes is to get close as possible.



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