HARROWING footage shows the moment a tuna fish killed itself in an aquarium after it became 'plagued' by flash photography.

An unsettling video shows the fish swimming in the aquarium as dozens of visitors are taking pictures with the flash on.

The bright flash startles the animal which becomes distressed and suddenly can be seen ramming against the glass knocking itself out.

The injured tuna then sinks to the bottom of the aquarium leaving a trail of blood as horrified guests gasp.

The clip which appears to have been filmed in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan was shared on Reddit and sparked outrage among users.

Many noted that the use of flash photography in aquariums should be banned as it agitates and confuses the animals.

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The Redditor who posted the video explained: "This is why flash photography should not allowed in aquariums.

"The fish cannot see the glass and think the water continues onward in that direction as the flashes resemble reflective light bouncing off the water."

Redditors agreed and called for flash photography in aquariums to be banned with one saying: "They probably see it as a flash of a prey fish and try to get to it."

Another one said: "This is why flash photography is banned at my local aquarium."

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Someone wrote: "It’s the flash photography. The aquarium needs to enforce the rules."

One said: "It is because of the idiots using their flash."

While someone else added: "I think the camera flashes confused it into a feeding response and that caused it to blindly ram into the glass.

"There's a reason why most zoos and aquariums restrict flash photography because it disturbs and confuses the animals."

While it remains unclear the exact reason the tuna fish swam head first into the glass, it is believed the reflection created by flash photography can anger and confuse animals.

Experts suggest it is difficult to determine whether self-harming acts from mammals can strictly be classified as "suicide attempts."

However self-destructive behaviour has been widely documented in animals in captivity.

Killer whales have previously been reported to have bumped their heads against tanks or attempted to leap from the water in an apparent act of self-harm.

A killer whale named Hugi was said to have been so unhappy in his captivity at an aquarium that he slammed his head into the wall of his tank until he died.

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Another orca named Morgan leapt out of her tank at Loro Parque in the Canary Islands in a desperate bid to kill itself.

Whales in wild have also exhibited some self-destructive behaviours, with reports of mass whale beachings – however, this is often attributed to confusion or sickness.

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