This is the horrifying moment a massive fish tries to bite a mermaid performer's head off during a show as terrified children scream.

The incident took place at the Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park in the city of Xishuangban, in China's southwestern Yunnan Province, on January 28.

Shocking footage shows the entertainer, identified only as Masha, 22, a Russian national, swimming gracefully in a bikini top and mermaid tail in an aquarium full of fish while visitors watch the show.

But as she swims upwards, she ends up in the path of a large fish—believed to be a sturgeon, which can grow up to 20ft and has been known to attack humans occasionally.

The fish suddenly bites her head, prompting her to fight back immediately.

She escapes its powerful jaws, which rip her goggles off, and hastily swims towards the surface as children scream in horror.

Russian media reported that the performer said her head, neck, and eye were severely injured, with a photograph showing her face after the attack.

She also said her employers only paid her CNY 700 (GBP 77.65) in compensation for her injuries following the shocking incident.

Reports also claimed that the park's management forbade Masha from discussing the attack.

Her employers repeatedly called her, warning her not to post videos of the fish attack online.