Chinese pond owner feeds fish 5,000 kilograms of chilli peppers daily to make them taste better and look more vibrant
A fish pond in southern China has gone viral online after its owner revealed that he feeds the fish 5,000 kilograms of chilli peppers daily, claiming this practice makes the fish appear more vibrant and taste better. The pond is located in Changsha, Hunan province – a region renowned for its spicy cuisine – and has recently become an online sensation after its owners were filmed feeding chilli peppers to the fish. The pond is co-managed by Jiang Sheng, a 40-year-old experienced fish farmer following in his father’s footsteps, and his former secondary school classmate, Kuang Ke.
The pond spans 40 470 square meters and houses more than 2 000 fish, with a feeding routine that shocks and intrigues
According to Kuang, the pond spans around 40,470 square meters and is home to over 2,000 fish, which are regularly fed a variety of chilli peppers. “At peak times, we feed up to 5,000 kilos of chilli peppers each day,” Kuang shared with Jiupai News. “The same types of chilli that people eat can be used to feed the fish. We use cone peppers and millet peppers. After consuming them, the fish develop better body shapes, enhanced flavour, and even shiny, golden scales.” Kuang added: “Initially, the fish were hesitant to eat the chillies. But now, when we toss in both grass and chilli, they actually prefer the chilli. When we eat spicy food, we drink water, right? Well, they live in water, so even if it’s spicy, they just drink more to counter it.”
The team behind the chilli‑fed fish and online interest in Changsha
Behind the viral clip are Jiang Sheng and Kuang Ke, a pair of local farmers who run the 10-acre pond in Changsha that houses more than 2,000 fish. The unusual feeding routine has drawn online attention from people curious about farming practices in Changsha, in Hunan province, a region celebrated for its fiery cuisine.
