A video filmed in China appears to show a frozen-solid fish defrosting in warm water and returning “to life,” moving and swimming on its own.
As its temperature is adjusted the fish appears to emit a few bubbles, wiggle its fin and then be able to move fully.
Uploaded to Facebook by Jinbin Huang, the video has already received over 45 million views.
Reaction to the footage has predictably included some accusing the clip of being fake, while others have defended it after seeing fish behave similarly.
“I’ve seen this in person dozens of times,” said one user.
“Ice fishing in New England with extreme cold temperatures. Catch some yellow perch and they freeze almost instantly. Take them home and put them in the sink with water and they start swimming shortly after.”
According to a study by Queen’s University, Canada in 2004, some fish have blood that contains a protein to help the animals withstand freezing temperatures.
Agencies/Canadajournal