What’s the plural of “fish”?
Let’s dive deeper into these proverbial waters, and get a little more textual. Keep reading for the key points on today’s subject topic, “What’s the plural of fish?”
We caught five fish today!
The aquarium exhibits of fishes of various tropical species.
I saw colourful fishes swimming in the pond.
She caught a large fishes yesterday.
- The singular and plural of fish is fish (without the “es” at the end).
- Fishes can be used as a plural to refer to numerous fish species at once; this is more common in scientific contexts. E.g., “most lakes and oceans have all types of fishes, such as, cod, salmon, trout…“
| Examples: “fish” used in sentences | |
| singular | I had a tropical pet fish with lots of colours when I was young. |
| plural | The Mediterranean diet, which includes fish, has been linked with a lower risk of depression and dementia. |
Nouns that are the same singular/plural
| singular | plural |
| sheep | sheep |
| moose | moose |
| fish | fish (sometimes fishes) |
| elk | elk |
| deer | deer |
| bison | bison (or bisons) |
When is “fishes” the correct plural?
To refer to more than one fish, you say fish. Fishes applies when we want to refer to numerous fish species within the same sentence. To avoid possible confusion, you can stick to fish without the “es” (it’s correct in all cases).
Sentences using “fish” or “fishes” in the media
Elsewhere on the reef, small cleaner-fishes make their living by plucking parasites and algae from a variety of so-called client fishes who line up to wait their turn.
The New York Times
New research suggests that fish can recognize human faces, putting to bed a previous theory that only animals with large brains, like primates, can accomplish such a complex task.
CBC
Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of fish, has been linked with a lower risk of depression and dementia.
Scientific American
Other example sentences with “fish”
He caught a huge fish!
We are having fish for dinner.
He keeps tropical fish in his aquarium.
“It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.”
The Godfather, Mario Puzo.
That “fish” is both singular and plural unless you’re specifically referring to different species, in which case use “fishes.” Think of it like “sheep” or “deer.”.
Other plural nouns
Similar to fish, deer stays the same in both singular and plural forms. Unlike fish, however, it’s standard for deer to be used when referring to numerous types of deer within the deer family, at the same time. The correct plural for moose is moose. Similar to deer and fish, moose does not vary between singular and plural forms. Keep in mind that mooses is incorrect, whereas fishes is not. Deers is not commonly used, though it’s not technically incorrect, and can be used to refer to numerous species within the deer family at once.
Phrases with the word “fish”
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| as crooked as a barrel of fish | to be unprincipled and deceptive |
| to be a big fish in a small pond | said of someone that stands out as successful or more experienced because they’re in a small group/business |
| to be a fish out of water | describes someone as uncomfortable in a new environment, or because they’re out of their element |
| a fish stinks from the head down | one who learns from one’s mistakes does not repeat them |
| only dead fish go with the flow | saying someone is attractive or appealing |
| to drink like a fish | a feigned state of sleep where you’re aware of your surroundings |
| to fish for compliments | to try and pull a compliment from someone |
| fish and guests smell after three days | meaning that you should not overstay your welcome |
| be neither fish nor fowl | said of something that’s difficult to categorize or define |
| to have bigger fish to fry | meaning that one has bigger issues to deal with than what’s currently being discussed |
| to have a memory like a goldfish | to have a terrible memory |
| to be a different kettle of fish | said of something completely unrelated to the topic at hand |
| to be a cold fish | describes someone that comes across as disinterested or unfriendly |
| teach a man to fish… | a clichéd phrase meaning teaching someone sets them up for the future rather than doing it for them |
| you need to bait the hook to catch the fish | you have to take the necessary steps to get what you want |
| all is fish that comes to his net | said of someone that’s able to make use of anything; resourceful |
Origin of the word fish
Fish (noun) “a vertebrate which has gills and fins adapting it for living in the water,” derives from Old English and the Proto-Germanic languages.
Read more on plural nouns
- What’s the plural of bison?
- What’s the plural of moose?
- What’s the plural of sheep?
- What’s the plural of ox?
- What’s the plural of cactus?
- What’s the plural of crisis?
Learn about other grammar topics
Sources
- “All is fish that comes to his net.” Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. 2015. Farlex, Inc 18 Dec. 2023
Work Sheet
What is the most common and generally acceptable plural form of “fish”?
According to the post, in which context is “fishes” typically used as the plural?
Which of the following nouns is listed in the post as having the same singular and plural form as “fish”?
The post mentions that using “fish” as the plural is correct in:
According to the post, which of these is considered incorrect?
We caught five today!
The aquarium exhibits of of various tropical species.
He keeps tropical in his aquarium.
Elsewhere on the reef, small cleaner- make their living…
The Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of , has been linked with a lower risk of depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard plural of fish?
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When should I use the plural “fishes”?
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Is “fishes” always incorrect?
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Can I always use “fish” as the plural?
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Are there words like fish that don’t change?
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Yash, D. "What’s the Plural of Fish?." Grammarflex, Jun 21, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/fish-or-fishes-whats-the-correct-plural-for-fish/.
