An interview with a mermaid at Camden's Adventure Aquarium

The Wands and Wishes Mermaids will be swimming at Adventure Aquarium in Camden from Nov. 5 to 13 Watch video

As Nixie sits flipping her tail just outside the 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm tank at Camden's Adventure Aquarium, one of her mermaid sisters swims among the sharks, rays and sea turtles behind her.

Nixie -- who is known as Haley Di Virgilio in the human realm -- is part of the Wands and Wishes Mermaids from Denver, Co., and will call the aquarium home for eight days starting Saturday. 

Kim Perno, guest experience manager at the aquarium, says the mermaids will be swimming in Ocean Realm during regular business hours, and will also be on the "dry side" signing autographs, taking pictures, and meeting all the "little guppies" who come to visit. "From start to finish, kids of all ages will be spellbound while watching a real-life mermaid swim in water as she interacts with them.

We sat down with Nixie to find out just what it takes to be a mermaid.

NJ.com: What's it like being out of the water to meet new friends at Adventure Aquarium?

Nixie: Mermaids are no different from whales and dolphins. We're mammals so we breathe air. Sometimes we get a little dried out, but the aquarium staff has been great. They come by and squirt us with water bottles.

NJ.com: What's it like swimming with sharks?

Nixie: Underwater communication is a big part, and, as mermaids, we have great communication with all the animals. The sharks here at Adventure Aquarium are particularly sweet. They have a great temperament.

NJ.com: What's the best part of being a mermaid?

Nixie: The best part of being a mermaid is getting to swim with the animals. We recently got to swim with whale sharks and it was amazing. Another benefit is, I've never had to learn how to tie shoes.

Mermaid Coral of the Wands and Wishes Mermaids swimming in Ocean Realm at Adventure Aquarium in Camden. (Kelly Roncace | For NJ.com)Kelly Roncace 

NJ.com: What can humans do to help protect the ocean and its residents?

Nixie: Recycle. I know it's a big, broad word, but it's very easy to do simple things that really help. Make sure to put plastic grocery bags in the correct receptacle. Floating plastic grocery bags look like jellyfish. Sea turtles ingest them and get very sick or even die. Here, you live near the ocean, so make sure if you see trash on the street to put it into the trash or recycling container so it doesn't end up in the water.

NJ.com: What advice do you have for little girls and boys who dream of being mermaids?

Nixie: Learn how to swim really good. When you feel safe and practice a lot, eventually you can be a mermaid or a merman. If you try, you can do anything.

The Wands and Wishes Mermaids will be at Adventure Aquarium's Mermaid Experience from Nov. 5 to 13. The experience is included with museum admission, which is $26.95 for ages 13 and up, and $19.95 for children 2 to 12. Visit adventureaquarium.com.