The three-day Aquarium Fish Fair 2026 ran from 29 to 31 October at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. More than 45 stalls sold ornamental fish, aquatic plants, aquariums and decorations, and Prothom Alo's M.A. Hannan found the fair crowded on Friday afternoon.
Prices ranged widely. A pair of guppies and some other species sold for Tk 50, while a pair of special imported molly reached Tk 15,000. Flowerhorns, with their tall humped heads, went for up to Tk 12,000 depending on size, and a pair of orange-and-black clownfish was priced at Tk 14,000 at the Aqua Tech BD stall.
Bubble eye goldfish, with sacs on either side of the face, sold for Tk 1,500 to 2,000, and a pair of bright gold fish called 24 Carat Gold for just Tk 400. Where a pair of local small shrimp costs Tk 70, red, pink, brown and white crayfish cost Tk 3,000 to 3,500. Snails that help keep tank glass clean of algae were Tk 20 each.
Much more than fish was on sale. A bunch of aquatic plants cost Tk 80 to 100, a "fighter tree" of jars holding betta fish Tk 5,000, and glass terrariums landscaped with hills and waterfalls Tk 700 to 35,000. One terrarium of five kinds of carnivorous plants was priced at Tk 22,000, and a fruiting ficus bonsai known as China bot at Tk 55,000.
Budgerigars, lovebirds and other birds sold for Tk 600 to 15,000. Stones, sand, moss and driftwood for decorating aquariums were sold retail and wholesale. Children were the most fascinated visitors.
Those who missed it have another chance: the Bangladesh Ornamental Fish Fair and Show 2026 runs at the Abacus Convention Centre in Eskaton from 5 to 8 November, 9am to 10pm daily, with free entry. Breeding and selling ornamental fish on a small scale is now an income for many young urban entrepreneurs, and fairs like these are their biggest market.
Photo: Lerdsuwa / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Prothom Alo
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