The clip is credited in its original listing to TikTok creator joeylopez276, and it spread through short-form reaction edits where creators needed a quick, ridiculous sound for shock or embarrassment. Because fish do not actually scream in this way, the joke works as pure absurdity: a silent animal suddenly given a loud, panicked voice. That contrast helped it travel beyond a single video, becoming a reusable punchline for fails, surprises and awkward moments across TikTok and other meme soundboards.