A mermaid performer has spoken out after a shocking video went viral, showing a giant fish attacking her in front of children.
The clip, which has circulated widely online, has left many questioning whether being a mermaid is as magical as it seems.
What Happened?
The performer, 22-year-old Mariia Zelenina, also known as ‘Masha,’ was swimming in an aquatic show at China’s Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park on January 28 when the unexpected attack took place.
Having worked as a mermaid performer for 10 months, it was a day like any other—until a giant Chinese sturgeon bit her head.
The footage shows Mariia swimming upward, presumably to get air, when the large fish suddenly latched onto her head. She desperately tried to break free as the crowd watched in horror.

A Giant Fish Attack
The culprit was a Chinese sturgeon, a critically endangered species that can grow up to 16 feet long.
Typically found in the Yangtze River and along the coast of China, these freshwater fish are not known for attacking humans.
Whether this was an instinctual move or something else remains unclear.
Speaking about the attack, Mariia said:
“I didn’t understand what was going on. I began to push her away and get out of her mouth. When I surfaced, I realized that I didn’t have my glasses. I was shocked and didn’t feel anything.”
What Happened After the Attack?
Mariia suffered bruises on her face and pain in her eye, but she insists she is doing fine.
“Of course, I was scared, but a lot of things can happen in life, and you need to treat it with humor,” she said. “I feel good. I remember this situation as a joke. I wasn’t afraid of these fish.”
After the attack, she was immediately taken to the hospital and was told to rest until she felt better.
However, rumors quickly spread online that she was forced to return to work despite her injuries,something she strongly denies.
“They also write that my superiors threatened me, but that’s not the case either,” Mariia explained. “Of course, they didn’t want the whole country to know about it, but it was inevitable.”
Recovering From the Ordeal
Right now, Mariia is taking time off to heal, as she still experiences pain in her eye and cannot be in contact with water.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, she remains positive and does not hold any grudges against the fish.
“It was unexpected, but I wasn’t afraid of these fish,” she said, proving that even after a terrifying experience, she’s still embracing the life of a mermaid.