VIDEO: The Deep staff take Christmas spirit underwater

THERE is something a little fishy about the way The Deep is passing on their festive greetings.

Forget the Christmas cards, staff have created their own video to wish everyone a Merry Fish-Mas.

The video, which has been viewed all over the world nearly 2,000 times, is a take on The Twelve Days Of Christmas song.

Staff have exchanged the gold rings and a partridge in a pear tree for five jelly stings and a mudskipper in a mangrove.

Although no one is accepting full responsible for the light-hearted gesture, among those involved is curator Katy Duke.

She said: "It's the first year we've done it and it's a Christmas countdown with fish.

"It is an alternative to a Christmas card for our suppliers, but we've also put it on our Facebook page.

"Initially, we were a bit cautious, but the more we did it, the more we got into it.

"It was quite quick to do in the end and only took a few mornings to film, when The Deep wasn't open to the public."

Staff dress as Father Christmas, donning white beards and reindeer antlers as part of their routine.

In the middle of the video, divers give their rendition of the South Korean musician PSY's Gangnam Style in a fish tank.

The video starts off with the words 'Two minutes we will probably live to regret'.

Katy, who was one of the nine divers dancing, said: "There was about 14 or 15 of us involved. We all thought it was hilarious.

"So far we've had a pretty good response to it and we've had people watching from aquariums in America and Australia.

"The Christmas message has gone to all corners of the globe."

One diver even sings while feeding the sharks.

Ben Jones, senior aquarist at The Deep, had the task of editing the footage.

He said: "I was mainly behind the camera and computer, although I was also a tinsel Viking.

"We are saying it was a communal decision. Everyone is backing off taking full responsibility.

"The video seems to have worked really well and has exceeded expectations.

"We are all a fun-loving bunch and I think everyone has done a sterling job.

"My favourite bit is when Santa Claus is carried off singing Last Christmas."

Mr Jones said he had several hours of footage to cut down into two and a half minutes.

He said: "We have a few good out-takes.

"It has been a good way to send a different Christmas card and it's been emailed to hundreds of people who seem to like it.

"I think we will be taking up singing lessons as the new year's resolution."

The Christmas greeting has gone down well with its recipients.

Jonny Rudd, assistant curator of the aquarium at Bristol Zoo, said: "I think it is the single most amusing thing I have seen this year. It is the perfect lift to what has been a dull week."

John Womack, of Otter Watersports, said: "The best jingle this year. Well done and a Merry Christmas."

Staff insist no fish were hurt in the making of their festive message.