A mermaid performer has spoken out over a viral video showing a fish assaulting her in front of youngsters.

If you’ve been browsing the internet this week, you’ve definitely seen the horrifying video that may have destroyed your aspirations of becoming a mermaid.

The video in question features 22-year-old Mariia Zelenina, a Russian mermaid performer known as ‘Masha.’.

On January 28, the event occurred when she was swimming in an aquatic display at China’s Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park.

It was a normal day for her, and nothing appeared out of the usual as she did her performance.

After 10 months on the job, you’re sure to become accustomed to your daily routine.

Regardless, Mariia was unaware that a large fish was poised to assault her, as it extended its jaw from its mouth and encircled her head, while she frantically attempted to free herself.

It’s unclear if this was an innate or calculated attack, as Mariia had been swimming up to seek air while the fish was swimming slightly above her.

Since then, Mariia has described her bite-related injuries.

The 22-year-old revealed to People that she was with another mermaid dancer just seconds before the attack.

“We had a show,” Mariia said. “I completed the first solo, and another female was waiting for me to do mine. I was about to finish it and surface when a fish jumped on me.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chinese sturgeon is a severely endangered fish that lives in the Yangtze River or off the coast of China.

These freshwater fish may grow up to 16 feet long, and I don’t believe I’d want to be near one that huge.

“I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I started pushing her away and getting out of her mouth. “When I surfaced, I realized I didn’t have glasses,” the mermaid performer said. “I was shocked; I didn’t feel anything.”

However, viral videos spawn viral rumors, and sadly, some people began to attack her workplace once the incident became public.

Reports specifically claimed Mariia had to return to work despite her wounds, a claim she denied.

She claimed that the hospital “promptly brought her” and instructed her to return once she felt better.

“They also claim that my supervisors intimidated me, which is not the case. Of course, they didn’t want the entire country to know about it, but it was unavoidable,” Mariia said.

She went further: “I’m resting now because my eye still hurts, and I can’t come into contact with water.”

Unfortunately, the attack left Mariia with bruises on her face, but she insists she is fine despite the discomfort.

“That was unexpected. Of course, I was terrified, but a lot of things may happen in life, and you have to face them with humor,” Mariia said.

“I feel great. I recall this incident as a joke. “I was not afraid of these fish.”