A man choked to death yesterday after trying to swallow a live, 5-inch fish on a dare.

Paramedics removed the aquarium fish from 23-year-old Michael Gentner's throat but could not resuscitate him.

"They could see the tail still sticking out of his mouth," said fire Lt. Dennis Ragins. Three unidentified friends had called 911 to say Gentner had a fish stuck in his throat and was having trouble breathing.