(Web Desk) - In a bizarre incident in China, a man transformed his car’s bonnet into an impromptu aquarium, filling it with water and live fish.
According to reports circulating on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo in July 2025, the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, claimed he resorted to using his vehicle’s bonnet as a makeshift fish tank after forgetting his fishing bucket during a trip.
A video of the unusual setup, showing several fish swimming in the water-filled hood, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking widespread reactions.
The footage, first shared on Douyin (China’s version of TikTok), captured the man casually explaining that he needed a quick solution to transport the fish he’d caught.
The car, a sedan parked by a riverside, had its hood propped open with water sloshing inside, containing at least a dozen small fish.
While some netizens found the creativity amusing, others were appalled, labeling the act as reckless and harmful. Animal welfare advocates criticized the stunt, arguing that the confined, shallow space and exposure to engine heat could distress or endanger the fish. “This is not a tank; it’s torture for those creatures,” one Weibo user commented.
Local authorities have not confirmed whether the man faced penalties, but the incident has fueled debates about animal cruelty and public stunts for attention.
China’s animal protection laws, while improving, remain limited compared to global standards, with fines for such acts typically ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan ($70-$280 USD) in rare enforcement cases.
The viral video has also prompted discussions about the ethics of using animals in social media content, with some calling for stricter regulations.