Cool fish from Singapore... Only $40K each!

[Dinyar]

A Star Is Born (and Swimming in Singapore)
By WAYNE ARNOLD

SINGAPORE

NOTHING says "lucky" to a Singaporean the way a luohan does.

With its preposterously bulbous forehead and garish markings, the luohan, a 6- to 8-inch-long fish, has become so wildly popular among this city's ethnic Chinese majority that in some households there are more luohan than people.

"We Chinese believe it will bring us luck," said David Lim, who keeps no fewer than 10 luohan at his apartment.

Since its introduction to Singapore from Malaysia in 2001, the luohan, also known as the flowerhorn fish, has become so popular that its image is used to adorn packages during Lunar New Year celebrations. Shops dedicated to selling the fish, their food and their tanks have proliferated. And a brisk resale market for luohan has emerged, complete with fish burglars and black-market luohan, with top fish fetching nearly $40,000.

In some ways, the luohan bubble may have burst. Prices are receding, apparently because the luohan seems to be falling victim to its own popularity. Too many sellers have taken advantage of the fish's prolific breeding habits, creating a luohan glut.

Keeping fish has always been part of Chinese culture, and fish occupy an important role in feng shui design. Those influences, along with this city's equatorial weather and efficient port connections, have made Singapore the world's capital for tropical fish. In 2001, Singapore exported 76 million Singaporean dollars worth of ornamental fish â€â€