A man in China has faced widespread outrage after videos showed him converting the bonnet of his luxury SUV into a makeshift aquarium, leaving live fish visibly gasping for air as curious bystanders watched.
The incident involved a Li Auto L9, a high-end electric SUV, which the owner, surnamed Liu, modified by sealing water and several large fish between a decorative vinyl wrap and a protective TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film on the car’s hood. The peculiar display quickly went viral on social media platforms like Weibo, Douyin (TikTok), X, and Reddit.
The videos, filmed along a busy roadside in Liaoning Province, show the bonnet bulging with water as the fish swam in the confined, shallow space. With the sun beating down, the creatures appeared to struggle in the warm, oxygen-poor water while pedestrians gathered to film the unusual sight.
Liu later told local reporters that he improvised the “aquarium” after forgetting his bucket on a fishing trip, claiming it was a temporary solution, not intended to attract attention. “I never thought it would go viral,” he said, even cautioning others against copying him.
Still, his apparent pride in the setup, paired with the suffering of the fish, angered many online. Some accused him of animal cruelty, calling it a “slow-motion execution” and questioning the safety of the fish, given the heat and tight conditions.
The backlash soon drew the attention of Liaoning traffic police. Authorities ruled the vehicle unfit for public roads, as the modification violated Chinese vehicle safety and structural laws. By adding water and live animals to the SUV’s exterior, Liu had fundamentally altered its design, creating a hazard for both the animals and other drivers.
While it remains unclear whether Liu was fined, officials made it clear that such modifications are illegal. The incident serves as a warning that while car customizations can be creative, they must comply with local laws and, above all, ensure the safety of any living creatures involved.
