The Fish Book

Ernest Goh’s close encounters with these creatures of the slimy-scaly kind began in the longkangs around the Siglap kampong where he spent much of his early childhood. Armed with nothing but empty milk tins and his bare hands, he scooped up whatever went past — tadpoles, guppies and the occasional frog.

Prized possessions they were then. Today, fish continue to fascinate millions of hobbyists worldwide, turning Singapore into the world’s ornamental fish capital. (The island accounts for 24 per cent of world export and over 40 per cent of the Asian market.)

In this book, 38 varieties of fish and aquarium creatures that have charmed enthusiasts all over the globe — including the Red Bubble Eye, Shovelnose Catfish and Albino Clawed Frog — are shown in colourful, close-up glory. Surprising, whimsical and always fascinating, The Fish Book is master photographer Ernest Goh’s first book. It is also his homage to the humble longkang fish for ensuring his childhood world went beyond late-afternoon cartoons and school textbooks.