When a goldfish swollows gravel - what happens??

[vanderkm]

I have a 4 inch long lion head goldfish that got a piece of gravel stuck in his mouth while sucking food from the bottom of his tank last night. They are not used to sinking pellets and really seem to love this new stuff and they really are pigs! He spent a few minutes frantically swimming around the tank, then suspended upside down as if hoping it would fall out. I tried a 'Heimlich' whole body squeeze on him and I am pretty sure that instead of spitting it out that he swollowed it.
The gravel was an ok size when the fish were smaller, but they have grown and have bigger mouths now. The piece he had in his mouth pretty well filled his mouth up and I am pretty sure it won't make it out the other end!
My question is whether he will just live fine with a piece of gravel in his stomach, has anyone had this happen before, what are his odds of survival?? He seemed fine afterwards, went back to scrounging on the bottom and looks normal this morning. Any ideas??

Thanks,

Mary v.