This is the bizarre moment fish leaping from lake sparked earthquake fears in China.

Footage shows hundreds of frenzied fish bursting out of the water at Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan.

The freshwater species can be seen hurling themselves into the air, with some landing on the deck of a passing motor cruiser and along the lake's banks on June 1.

Locals expressed concern, believing the unusual behaviour could be a sign of an impending quake or an underwater electrical leak.

However, the Kunming Dianchi Lake Management Bureau said the phenomenon was due to low oxygen levels in the water.

Experts explained that heavy rainfall the day before had flushed large amounts of organic and chemical debris into the lake, reducing oxygen levels and prompting fish to leap in search of air.