A Chinese Man Was Arrested After Turning the Hood of His Li Auto L9 Into an Improvised Aquarium with Live Fish. The Case Sparked Outrage on Social Media and Led to Police Intervention for Violating Vehicle Modification Laws.
A Chinese man was arrested after an unusual scene that gained significant attention on social media. He decided to turn the hood of his Li Auto L9 into an improvised aquarium, putting live fish inside a plastic structure that covered the front of the car.
The incident, which took place in Liaoning province, generated online outrage and brought forth a debate about animal cruelty and illegal vehicle modifications.

What Motivated the Transformation of the Car?
According to local press reports, the vehicle’s owner, identified as Liu, said that the idea arose after he forgot a bucket while fishing.
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Having nowhere to keep the fish, he decided to improvise and poured water directly onto the hood, trapping it between a vinyl film and a layer of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).
“I never wanted this to go viral. It was just a temporary solution,” Liu said, who also warned others not to repeat the practice.
The Impact of the “Aquarium on Wheels”
The video showing the Li Auto L9 with the hood transformed into an aquarium quickly went viral on platforms like Weibo, TikTok, and Reddit.
The images showed the fish swimming in shallow water, exposed to the heat and the curious gazes of pedestrians capturing the scene.
While some users found the idea creative, most considered the action an act of cruelty, with many comments labeling the case as “abuse.”
The Response of the Authorities
In light of the backlash, the traffic police in Liaoning province intervened. Authorities classified the modification as illegal and emphasized that the vehicle posed a risk to road safety.
According to Chinese law, alterations that compromise the car’s structure and integrity for circulation are prohibited.
The Li Auto L9, which is a luxury electric SUV with all-wheel drive and 408 horsepower, was eventually seized.
The Controversy Over Vehicle Personalization
Cases like this raise questions about the limits of automotive personalization.
While customizing cars is a common practice, experts remind that there are specific rules to ensure that modifications do not compromise the safety of the driver, passengers, and third parties.
In China, as in other countries, modifying structural parts without authorization can lead to fines, seizures, and even imprisonment.

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