Eugene Ng is a cosmetic surgeon in Singapore. He is well known for his work performing eyelifts on Asian arowana fish in the area. Ng, known to his clients as Dr. Ark, after the pet fish store he runs says that “some people think it’s cruel to the fish. But really I’m doing it a favor. Because now the fish looks better and its owner will love it even more.”
The idea of cosmetic surgery for a fish may sound extreme. But the Asian arowana is not your average pet store fish. Known as the long yu, or “dragon fish” in Chinese, it reigns as one of the world’s most expensive aquarium fish. This type of fish sells for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
A local hobbyist remarked that having an arowana means you have status. One fish was even rumored to have been bought by a Chinese Communist Party official for $300,000. For most owners, the cost of an eyelift ($90) or a chin job ($60) for their pet fish is pocket change.
Wealthy Chinese businessmen prize the fish, with its large glimmering scales, sage-like whiskers and aggressive personality, for its resemblance to the mythical Chinese dragon. Adding to the allure are tales of arowana that sacrifice their lives by jumping out of tanks to warn owners about a bad business investment or other potential dangers. Breeders used DNA technology to hone the traits of a “perfect” fish, and neon pink tanning lights are a common feature in tanks to enhance the fish’s reddish hue.
According to the head of research and development at Qian Hu Fish, “It’s like a beauty pageant. The fish cannot be fat. It must look strong and have personality. It must swim confidently and be firm, stern and fierce. It cannot be timid.”
Because of the allure of the fish, many owners take extreme measures to maintain their appearance including having plastic surgery performed on them to maintain a “perfect appearance”.
(This story originally appeared on nytimes.com)
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