Top 8 Rare and Expensive Fish Species in Vietnam

The Golden Threadfin Bream, scientifically known as Otolithoides Biauritus or Golden-Finned Fish, is commonly found in the Indian Ocean, including Vietnam. This fish, also referred to as the golden-finned fish, can reach a maximum length of 1.6m. Mature individuals can weigh up to several hundred kilograms. The swim bladder of this fish is highly valued in the medical field and can fetch tens of thousands of USD depending on its size. Many believe that consuming this fish brings good luck and prosperity.

In Vietnam, they are scattered across the coastal areas but are not as abundant due to overexploitation, leading to depletion and near impossibility of artificial breeding. Despite this, they have not been listed in the red book as they can still be caught in the wild, making them a rare delicacy!

The Betta Fighting Fish originates from Thailand, known for its prowess in the fish-fighting arena. This species boasts a stunning array of colors on its body, with prices ranging from a few tens of thousands for small fish to several thousand USD for larger ones, depending on their valor in the battleground.

The Betta has a slender, elongated body with a near rectangular flattened side. Its small mouth is slightly slanted, and the upper part of the head slopes down. Large eyes and smooth preocular bones characterize its appearance. The scales are medium-sized and rounded. The abdominal fins resemble swords, with the dorsal fin located well beyond the midsection of the back. Through selective breeding, breeders have developed Betta specimens with exceptionally large dorsal and anal fins, giving them an elegant appearance. In nature, their base color is reddish-brown, adorned with vibrant stripes of blue and green and numerous eye-catching red, green, and blue spots.

The Flower Horn Fish, known for its longevity of over 10 years, has been a popular choice in Vietnam for many years. Scientifically named Flower Horn, its distinctive head, resembling an elderly figure, is a criterion for assessing the value of a Flower Horn fish (the more humped the head, the more valuable). On the market, these fish can be quite expensive, ranging from around 400,000 to 700,000 VND for a juvenile. Fully grown individuals can command prices reaching millions, or even hundreds of millions of VND per fish.

Adult Flower Horns exhibit unique traits inherited from their parents, especially the shimmering colors on their bodies, with no two fish alike. They boast beautiful fan-shaped tails and elongated fins, small eyes, and short gill covers. Fully grown Flower Horns typically measure between 25 to 30 cm, depending on the species. These fish are quite lively and curious, often swimming actively in the tank and showing a penchant for rearranging decorative items such as rocks and aquatic plants. Therefore, Flower Horns are usually kept in smooth tanks.

The freshwater dragon fish with golden scales was introduced to Vietnam from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. It is used for ornamental purposes, believed to bring luck to the owner. This is among the most prestigious fish in Vietnam today; just hearing its name conveys its luxurious allure. Many families in Vietnam choose to nurture this fish in a large, exclusive tank, as this species prefers to live alone. The price for this type of fish is often high, ranging from a few million to several hundred million VND per individual.

Dragon fish, raised for feng shui purposes, typically have a medium size. On average, a mature fish has a body length ranging from 20 to 70 cm and weighs between 1 to 4 kg. Their bodies are relatively slim, long, healthy, and tend to flatten on both sides, allowing for swift swimming. This species has large scales, and its pectoral fins, dorsal fins, anal fins, and mouth whiskers are relatively long.

The Platinum Dragon Fish, also known as the king of ornamental fish, is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts. This special color mutation, similar to albinism in humans, gives the fish an entirely white body, while its relatives boast vibrant red, green, or gold fins. It has been sold for up to 400,000 USD (almost 9 billion VND) per fish, equivalent to a luxury sports car, depending on its size and age.

Considered a monarch in the world of fish, the dragon fish is not just a pet but also a symbol of luck and prosperity within a family. For this meaningful symbolism, many are willing to spend tens of millions, even hundreds of millions or even billions, to own such a unique and rare dragon fish.

Ranchu Goldfish (Japan), often referred to as the king of goldfish, thrives and flourishes most in the 'land of the rising sun.' The overall shape of Ranchu is crucial, with a balance between the head, body, and tail. Ranchu must have strong and graceful swimming ability, and graceful and elegant movements. Ranchu is a relatively easy-to-raise fish, but to raise a standard, non-hybrid Ranchu is not simple at all, which is why its price is quite high.

Ranchu Goldfish has no dorsal fin, an egg-shaped body, the ability to swim gracefully, and gentle and graceful movements combined with its adorable appearance make Ranchu Goldfish the most favored goldfish in Vietnam as well as worldwide.

Polka Dot Freshwater Stingray is a species of stingray thriving in rivers within the South American region. The diverse environment and food sources contribute to the uniqueness of this species. Polka Dot Stingray is ranked among the top 3 most beautiful and expensive ornamental fish in the Vietnamese aquarium market. Its distinctive patterns and graceful swimming make it a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts as a unique pet. Due to its venomous tail, it's advisable to keep the stingrays in a separate tank or cohabit them with species residing in the upper and middle layers of the tank.

With its exceptional and unique colors, along with Feng Shui significance, this fish has become one of the super ornamental fish types with prices reaching up to 100,000 USD per individual (approximately 2.27 billion VND). Many enthusiasts are willing to spend generously to own this fish as part of their aquarium.