Man filmed eating live goldfish in NSW

A video posted on social media of a man eating a live goldfish in a western Sydney pet store has sparked an investigation by RSPCA NSW.

In the video, which has gone viral since being posted on champion boxer Kyron Dryden's Facebook page on Tuesday, shows Trent Hunt, who describes himself as a comedian, eating the fish inside the Penrith Petbarn store and later vomiting it up.

Petbarn lodged a formal complaint with RSPCA NSW after the incident and an investigation is underway.

"It's completely astounding how anyone could think it is funny to eat a live pet fish, where it would suffer a slow and painful death, all in a poor attempt at humour," RSPCA NSW chief inspector David O'Shannessy said in a statement on Thursday.

"The law is very clear around protections for fish and other sentient beings under the legislation and this matter will be thoroughly investigated."

Fish are covered by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and penalties for animal cruelty can include two years imprisonment and a $22,000 fine.