Goldfish Born Without Jawbone Gets Life-Saving Braces

Here’s a sight you don’t see everyday: a wee goldfish, with “braces.”

The fish, named Mr. Hot Wing, was brought to Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology last week with breathing and eating difficulties.

The Pennsylvania clinic says the goldfish was born without a lower jaw bone, making it impossible for the creature to keep its mouth open.

To save Mr. Hot Wing, veterinarian Brian Palmeiro performed surgery and created a set of “custom braces” crafted from a plastic credit card.

The brace, explains the clinic, helps keep the fish's mouth open, allowing it to eat and breathe normally.

According to WABC-TV, the procedure cost $150.