Fish vs. Fishes Explained

English can be confusing—especially when one word has two possible plurals. In this short, engaging video, Mia and Daniel visit an aquarium to explore the difference between fish and fishes.

Mia starts by saying “Look at all the fish!”—which is correct when referring to multiple animals of the same species. But Daniel quickly points out an important detail: if there are different species in the group, the correct word is fishes.

So, when should you use fish?
✔ When all the fish are the same kind.
Use fishes?
✔ When you’re talking about multiple species.

Example:
🟢 “The tank has many fish.” (one species)
🟢 “The ocean is home to many fishes.” (different species)

It’s a small detail, but it makes your English sound more natural—and it’s a fun fact most native speakers don’t even know!

At FluentJoy, we turn tricky grammar into easy, visual learning. Watch the video, try the examples, and level up your vocabulary one word at a time.