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Fish

There are almost 24,000 species of fish so far recorded, and many new ones being discovered and named every single year. There are by far more fish than any other group of vertebrates such as amphibians, mammals or birds.

However, from a biological point of view the term ‘fish’ is rather like ‘reptile’, in that it is a general term and includes several different classes of animals and it probably does not represent a true, single evolutionary group. Of the four very different classes of ‘fishes’, the two groups most people are aware of are:

- the Chondrichthyes (sharks and rays)

and

- the Osteichthyes (the bony fish)

And it is the latter group that most people think of when they hear the word 'fish'.


What is the correct plural for fish - fish or fishes?

When discussing different fish, the plural ‘fish’ is used for many individuals of the same species (as pictured below). However, when discussing more than one different species, the plural ‘fishes’ is used.

School of fish, image by Damon Ramsey, Ecosystem Guides

the different types of fish...

sharks and rays

where to see fish...

swimming with sharks and rays


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