Which figure do YOU see? Optical illusion shows either a fish or mermaid

A baffling optical illusion claiming to show a fish or a mermaid depending on how your brain works has left internet users scratching their heads.  

The viral puzzle claims to be based on the theory that different parts of the brain carry out different functions, meaning they’re more likely to spot a certain animal based on whether their brain is predominantly left or right sided.  

However several internet users were confused by the drawing, claiming their ‘brains were broken’ because image looked more like a seal or a donkey. 

The illusion even left author J.K. Rowling stumped, with the Harry Potter writer admitting on Twitter that she saw a donkey the picture, instead of a mermaid or a fish.  

The puzzle claims that those with right-sided brains will see a fish while those with left sided brains will see a mermaid. 

But Rowling, 56, took to Twitter to write: ‘it’s a donkey, though’, with several other internet users failing to notice either a fish or a mermaid. 

‘My brain is broken because I don’t know how anyone can see a fish or mermaid’, wrote one. I do see the donkey if I try but all I see is a seal.’ 

‘I can see a donkey and a seal. Can someone draw the lines for how you see a mermaid?’, asked another. 

The illusion even left author J.K. Rowling stumped, with the Harry Potter writer admitting on Twitter that she saw a donkey the picture, instead of a mermaid or a fish

‘I’m proud of everyone responding to this correctly pointing out that it is a seal’, wrote another user. 

A fourth commented: ‘Does anyone see a mermaid? Or, indeed, a fish? It’s a donkey or a seal, surely??’

While the majority of users saw a donkey or a seal in the image, some even thought the image showed a picture of a dog or kangaroo.  

Rowling, 56, took to Twitter to write: ‘it’s a donkey, though’, with several other internet users failing to notice either a fish or a mermaid

The mind-boggling puzzle claims to reveal whether your brain is left or right sided. 

It claims left-brain thinkers are more logical, analytical and right-brain thinkers are more creative and intuitive.  

The psychological theory of brain lateralisation says functions are performed by distinct regions of the brain, however the idea humans have stronger left or right side has been disproved.