A fish pond in Changsha, Hunan province, has captured massive online attention after its owners revealed that they feed more than 5,000 kilograms of chilli peppers to over 2,000 fish every day.
According to the South China Morning Post, the 10-acre pond is co-managed by fish farmer Jiang Sheng, 40, and his former classmate Kuang Ke. The duo claims the unusual diet not only enhances the fishes’ flavour but also gives them shiny, golden scales.
“At peak times, we feed up to 5,000 kilos of chilli peppers a day,” Kuang said. “After consuming them, the fish develop better body shapes and richer flavour.”
Jiang added that fish rely on smell rather than taste, and the vitamins in chillies help boost intestinal health and stress resistance.
The peppers are sourced from local farmers, often unsold or close to spoiling, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional fish feed.
