There are certain landmarks that instantly define Hyderabad. The historic minarets of the Charminar, the majestic walls of Golconda Fort, or perhaps a steaming plate of biryani.
But for anyone entering the city from the airport, there is another giant, undeniable landmark that catches the eye: a massive, four-story steel fish raised on pale blue pillars, looking as though it is swimming through mid-air.
The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) building—affectionately known by locals simply as the “fish building”—is making waves once again. This time, it’s not because of global architectural rankings, but because one proud Hyderabadi decided to immortalize it permanently on his skin.
Looking Beyond the Obvious
The buzz began when Koru Ink, a Hyderabad-based tattoo studio celebrated for its custom designs, shared their client’s unique request on Instagram. The carousel post featured a crisp, detailed close-up of the completed “fish building” tattoo, born entirely out of pure Hyderabadi humor and nostalgia.
According to the studio, the client wanted to carry a piece of home with him wherever he went, but he deliberately chose to look “beyond the obvious.” Instead of opting for the traditional silhouette of the Charminar, he chose to honor the quirky landmark that thousands of commuters drive past every day, but few ever expected to see as fine art.
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Yet, the post also reawakened some genuine affection for the building. “This fish means happiness, cause I know I am back home,” another user commented, while someone else admitted, “Yes, this building is so fascinating.”
A Masterclass in Mimetic Design (Or a Meme Muse?)
When the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) inaugurated the building back in 2012, nobody could have predicted the pop-culture legacy it would build.
On paper, the structure was meant to be a prime example of “mimetic architecture”—a design style where buildings mimic their actual purpose—heavily inspired by legendary architect Frank Gehry’s iconic “Fish” sculpture in Barcelona.
However, with its glowing blue eyes, metallic scales, and fin-shaped windows, the real-world execution turned out to be more comical than captivating. Instead of achieving high-art prestige, it routinely pops up on global internet lists showcasing the world’s “strangest” or “ugliest” architecture. For many residents, it was quickly demoted from a serious government office to prime meme material.
The Ultimate City Symbol
Despite the lighthearted trolling, the fish building has firmly swum its way into the hearts of Hyderabadis. It represents a specific brand of local humor—creative, self-aware, and deeply affectionate.
This isn’t even its first time going viral. During a previous heavy monsoon season, local artist Dr. Sameena Shaik captured the city’s imagination with a brilliant animated video. The clip brought the landmark to life, showing the giant fish literally swimming through the flooded streets of Hyderabad, navigating its way past Nimrah Cafe, Hotel Nayaab, the Charminar, and the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge.
Whether it is swimming through digital animations or being etched onto someone’s arm, Hyderabad’s favorite aquatic anomaly proves that a landmark doesn’t have to be ancient to be iconic. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of steel, a lot of imagination, and a city that knows how to love a good laugh.
