How bizarre fish ‘experiment’ videos from China hijacked the internet’s worst impulses
Bizarre videos showing the torture of small animals, particularly pleco fish, have gained significant attention on social media platforms, especially TikTok. These 'LabGerm' videos, which often feature AI-generated content, have sparked outrage and discussions online, leading to a niche of reaction videos and memes. Despite efforts by platforms to remove such content, the videos continue to proliferate, highlighting challenges in moderating objectionable material on social media.
- ▪Hundreds of 'LabGerm' videos have been posted on TikTok, showing small animals being physically maimed.
- ▪The videos have sparked outrage and discussions, leading to a niche of reaction videos and memes.
- ▪TikTok has removed some accounts spreading these videos, but many imitators remain active.
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| Original publisher | NBC News — Business |
| Canonical URL | https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/bizarre-fish-experiment-videos-china-hijacked-internets-worst-impulses-rcna345659 |
| Publication time | Sun, 24 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-24T16:07:33.322Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-24T16:07:33.322Z |
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InternetHow bizarre fish ‘experiment’ videos from China hijacked the internet’s worst impulsesNBC News reviewed dozens of videos that showed small animals being physically maimed. The videos have spawned their own small internet niche of reaction videos, discussion, bizarre memes and even merch.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Hundreds of "LabGerm" videos on TikTok show small animals being physically maimed.NBC News; Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 24, 2026, 12:00 PM EDTBy Tavleen Tarrant and Larissa GaoOf the hundreds of “LabGerm” videos posted and reposted to social media in recent weeks, most start out the same way: A pair of gloved hands appears against a white backdrop as an AI-generated voice narrates and upbeat music plays in the background.Subscribe…
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