Aquarium Shark "Lying Upside Down in Corner" – Visitors Look Up to See "Underwater Sign" and Hold Back Tears

Remember Darla from Pixar's Finding Nemo? The dentist's niece with a penchant for shaking plastic bags containing her birthday-gift fish? Many viewers recall the image of the lifeless fish floating upside down.

Recently, visitors to Ocean Park in Hong Kong experienced a similar moment of initial shock. They spotted a banded catshark, also known as a pajama shark, lying belly-up on the bottom of its tank. The shark rested motionless on the sand and rocks.

But before panic could fully set in, they noticed a sign. The sign featured a cartoon drawing of a shark in the same upside-down position, with a speech bubble saying, "I'm not dead, I'm just sleeping!"

It turns out that this particular shark has a habit of sleeping on its back, much like a contented pet. This odd sleeping posture often leads to concerned tourists and worried inquiries. The aquarium staff decided a preemptive sign was necessary.

A video circulating online shows a woman explaining the situation to older relatives, "Other fish, if they're like that, it means they're dead. But this one just likes to sleep that way."

The online reaction has been lighthearted, with many users commenting on the need for the sign and the shark's unique personality. One commenter wrote, "No wonder they have to put up a sign, imagine how many anxious tourists they have to deal with!"

So, next time you see a shark belly-up in an aquarium, remember: it might just be catching some Z's in its own unique style!

Disclaimer: This article is based on observations from visitors at Ocean Park in Hong Kong.