For years, raising ornamental fish has included many people in Hanoi because it is considered as a relaxing and gives luck and good fortune to those who raise them.
People can buy ornamental fishes on famous streets in Hanoi, including Yen Phu, Hang Dau and Hoang Hoa Tham. Ornamental fish stores in the streets sell valuable species like Koi, discus, dragon fish (Asia arowana), flowerhorn cichlid and angle fish (Pterophyllum).
To have a beautiful ornamental fish pond, people must clean their pond daily. Someone designs the pond following fengshui to pray for luck and prosperity. They put in seaweed, Lua wood, grass and rock to decorate their ponds.
By Khanh Long – Trinh Bo
Small fish are food for a dragon fish. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
The brilliant beauty of Red Peacock Cichlid fish. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
A beautiful and classic ornamental fish pond. Photo: Khang Long/VNP
Hoang Van Tam, an ornamental fish owner in Hanoi selects his favourite fishes at an ornamental fish store on Hoang HoaTham Street. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
A high-class species of dragon fish is considered as symbol of luck and prosperity. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
Colourful moon fish live among herbs. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
Silver head discus fish. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
Ornamental fish farming in Yen Phu Village. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP
Silver head discus fish are desired by people. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
Providing oxygen is indispensable to a fish pond. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
Koi fish is a favourite species of people who raise ornamental fish in Hanoi. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
Varieties of seaweed are put in ponds following fengshui. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP