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Shock footage shows the remains of the fish, sliced in half and with its head detached, on sale in a market.

It was apparently prepared by the Japanese method of Ikejime, which involves spiking the fish’s brain.

But on this occasion it appears that the job was botched – and somehow the fish can still move.

(Image: TWITTER)

A jaw-dropping clip shows half the yellowtail tuna leaping from its tray as if it’s still alive.

Nearly two minutes later it’s still thrashing about when the bizarre video concludes.

Yutaka Suzuki, from Japan, shared the clip with the caption: "This fish’s life force is amazing."

But as Twitter user Kaishi Ueda pointed out, it’s that the fish’s nerves haven’t been properly rendered inactive.

And though it’s unlikely the fish is feeling pain, Ueda said, the thrashing would bruise the fish, damaging its flavour and texture.

Properly done, Ikejime should cause instant brain death, relaxing the fish and preventing reflex actions like this happening.

The blood in the tuna would also retract to the gut cavity, giving the diner a better coloured and flavoured fillet.

It’s considered a faster and more humane method of killing fish than the alternative – slitting their throats.