A plus-size merman has become a hit at an aquarium in China.

Footage shows the rotund man wearing a mermaid's fin and swimming in the tank, performing humorous movements.

The performer then shakes his belly and body while swaying his fish tail, causing laughter among the audience at the underwater theatre at Sunac Ocean World in Jinan, Shandong, on April 19.

Local media reported that the performance is part of the 'Lotus Koi' show, where entertainers perform at least three to four shows a day, each lasting around 10 minutes.

One of the mermen said that due to their larger bodies, their buoyancy and resistance in the water are much greater than those of people with smaller frames, requiring significantly more physical energy.

He added: 'We are exhausted every time we go ashore, but seeing the audience happy and amused makes us feel more energetic.'

While mermen are not commonly seen at ocean parks, some aquariums feature them in their shows. These performers are typically professional divers who wear mermaid tails to create underwater performances for entertainment.

The appearance of a plus-size merman is rare due to societal stereotypes about body types, which often dictate who is selected for such performances.

However, onlookers said that this merman's popularity challenges those norms, demonstrating that entertainment and joy can come in all shapes and sizes.