Live fish lodges in one-year-old’s throat during aquarium cleaning, removed after surgery

A routine aquarium cleaning turned into a life‑threatening emergency for a one‑year‑old boy when a live ornamental fish unexpectedly leapt into his mouth and became lodged deep in his throat, blocking his airway and causing breathing difficulty , medical officials said on Thursday. The bizarre incident took place on April 3 in the Khajrana area when the child’s elder siblings were cleaning the home aquarium and playing with the fish kept in a net. As the boy laughed nearby, a fish suddenly jumped into his mouth , leaving the family in shock.

Alarmed family members rushed the distressed child to Government Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), one of the city’s major government healthcare facilities, where he was quickly examined by the emergency team. Doctors noted that the nearly three‑inch fish was causing injuries, anxiety and restlessness in addition to obstructing his airway, with blood‑tinged saliva present. Because of the danger of airway blockage, particularly severe given the narrow throat of young children, the ENT department immediately decided on emergency surgical intervention .

A dedicated six‑member medical team performed a complex, half‑hour operation to carefully extract the fish, which had died by the time it was removed. The surgical procedure required precision to avoid further damage to the larynx and esophagus, and to protect the child’s fragile airway. Doctors emphasized that such foreign bodies in the throat can quickly escalate to fatal situations if not treated promptly.

Following the surgery, the boy was monitored for several days in the hospital’s care. His breathing gradually returned to normal and his condition stabilized, and he has since been discharged in good health , with doctors confirming a full recovery. The family expressed immense relief and gratitude toward the medical team for their swift action and life‑saving treatment .

Dr Yamini Gupta, head of the ENT department at MYH, described the case as extremely rare and challenging , noting it is one of the first reported instances in central India of a live fish becoming lodged in a toddler’s throat and being successfully removed. Medical experts highlighted the risks of foreign objects becoming lodged in young children’s airways, urging caregivers to exercise caution during household activities that might expose children to small loose objects or pets.