Fish braces

Dr. Brian Palmeiro of Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology did the surgery Thursday at the South Whitehall Township practice. (Photo from Lehigh Valley Dermatology's Facebook page)

A fish tale, it is.

A Lehigh County veterinarian created a buzz on social media when he posted photos of a goldfish he outfitted with braces.

Dr. Brian Palmeiro of Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology did the surgery Thursday on Mr. Hot Wing, a goldfish that couldn't eat or breathe properly because it was born without a lower jaw bone, according to the practice's Facebook page.

Fish Braces!!?? Mr. Hot Wing came in today for trouble breathing and inability to eat. He was born without a lower jaw... Posted by Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology on Thursday, March 17, 2016

Palmeiro fashioned the mouth-opening brace from an old credit card in a procedure that cost the pet owner about $150, according to a report on 6abc.com.

Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology in South Whitehall Township specializes in dermatology care for animals.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.