THIS is the horrific moment a giant fish attacks a young mermaid performer’s head in front of frightened children.

Harrowing footage caught the dramatic incident where a crowd in an aquarium watched a Russian female performer get her head nearly chomped off.

The attack took place at Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park, an aquarium in China’s Yunnan Province, where 22-year-old mermaid animator Masha works.

The performer can be seen making waves in an elegant routine among other large beasts in the tank before she is suddenly interrupted.

The devious fish can be seen quietly creeping up on her before it quickly seizes the swimmer’s skull in its large jaws.

It appears to be a sturgeon, a fish that can grow up to 20 feet in length and are known to sometimes attack humans.

Luckily, the swimmer pulls away seconds later and hastily swims up towards the surface heading for an escape.

Viewers, including some children, were left shocked as they gasped at the nearly devastating ordeal.

Her head, neck and eye were wounded by the massive creature while her nose clips and goggles were not so lucky as they were eaten.

Russian media said that the distressed woman was even forced back to work soon after, despite being left in severe pain after the bite.

She was offered £78 in compensation for “moral damages” but was barred from talking about it as bosses at the site tried to cover it up.

The freshwater aquarium features native species of fish from the Mekong and Yangtze Rivers, as well as many other rare amphibians.

Masha’s employers called her repeatedly warning of the consequences of posting the video online.

But their attempts to destroy the story proved futile after one of the disturbed spectators posted their point of view on TikTok’s sister app in China Douyin. 

One user joked: “It’s normal to have some conflicts between colleagues.”

Another speculated: “I feel like this girl won’t be working as a mermaid anymore.”

On Trip.com, the attraction has received mostly positive feedback, with one visitor writing: “I was really impressed with the clean and high standard of living conditions for the fish and reptiles.

“A little difficult to find your way around inside as not many English signs.

“There is also a 7D cinema which is well worth doing, kids will love it.”

Last year in Brazil 15 people bathing in a river were injured after being attacked by piranhas.

Firefighters had to take at least four of them to hospital.