A Victorian couple has gone to great lengths to save the life of their beloved pet goldfish.

George the goldfish had a brain tumour removed during high-risk microsurgery that cost his owners hundreds of dollars.

Over the past year, George developed a huge growth on his head that required urgent, life-saving treatment.

View photos Vets removed a tumour from George the goldfish last week. Photo: Supplied (Lort Smith) More

His owners took him to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital where Dr Tristan Rich performed the tricky surgery.



"The fish was having trouble eating, getting around and he was getting bullied by other fish," Dr Rich said.

But after an hour-long procedure, the tiny patient was off the hook.

View photos George the goldfish is recovering after life-saving surgery to remove a tumour. Photo: Supplied (Lort Smith) More

Water from his pond was brought to the surgery in buckets, and fed into a tube through his mouth to keep his gills wet.

"Controlling the blood loss is really important in such a small patient," said Dr Rich.

"Closing up did prove quite difficult because there wasn't much skin to deal with. It was quite intricate surgery really."

View photos George the goldfish is off the hook after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour. Photo: Supplied (Lort Smith) More

George is recovering swimmingly well at home with 20 mates, but don't think he can't remember his ordeal.

The theory goldfish only have a three second memory is incorrect; it's actually around three months.

The ten-year-old should now enjoy another 20 years of life.