While dogs and cats often play a very special part in their owners’ lives, goldfish are commonly seen as a more temporary kind of pet.

But as one dedicated pet owner in Australia has now proven, it is by no means impossible to form an attachment to a goldfish.

According to the Independent, 21-year-old Emma Marsh spent $500 (around €330) on an operation to save the life of her beloved goldfish Conquer after the fish began to choke on a pebble from his own tank.

After noticing Conquer was in bother, his owner of one year rushed him to the Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service where vet Emma McMillan and her team put him to sleep via anaesthetic before using a forceps to remove the pesky pebble.

Thankfully Conquer survived the operation, but for what he cost his owner he’d want to stay away from stones for a very long time.