Fishes in my tank

[Rachel Adams]

If "fishes" is used when we are talking about a variety of fish can I use it if I need to say I have different fish in my tank? For example, "I have ten fish in my tank" meaning of the same kind but "I have ten fishes in my tank " meaning they are all different.

I read that "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, but is the word used to refer to different fish only?

 

[emsr2d2]

No. Even if they're all different, we'd still say "I have ten fish in my tank". If you need to make it clear that they're not the same, say "I have ten different (species of) fish in my tank".

 

[Rachel Adams]

No. Even if they're all different, we'd still say "I have ten fish in my tank". If you need to make it clear that they're not the same, say "I have ten different (species of) fish in my tank".

When "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, is the word used to refer to different fish only or to the fish of the same kind? In explanations I often read "fishes" is used in scientific texts but what does it exactly refer to?

Is "I have ten fishes in my tank" ungrammatical or unnatural?

 

[GoesStation]

When "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, is the word used to refer to different fish only or to the fish of the same kind? In explanations I often read "fishes" is used in scientific texts but what does it exactly refer to?

Is "I have ten fishes in my tank" ungrammatical or unnatural?

Yes and yes.

Try searching for "fishes" and reading some of what you find. Come back and tell us your observations.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

When "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, is the word used to refer to different fish only or to the fish of the same kind? In explanations I often read "fishes" is used in scientific texts but what does it exactly refer to?

Is "I have ten fishes in my tank" ungrammatical or unnatural?

The word FISHES is only correct as a verb:

- When she fishes, she likes using live bait.

- He fishes for compliments whenever he publishes another book.

It is not a plural noun.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Many dictionaries give fishes as one possible plural of fish, for example, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fish?q=fish_1

Well, okay, then. A Piscean should know!

 

[Tarheel]

Many dictionaries give fishes as one possible plural of fish, for example, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fish?q=fish_1

I'm sure that's true, but I would also say a learner should say "I have ten fish in the tank."

 

[Rachel Adams]

Many dictionaries give fishes as one possible plural of fish, for example, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fish?q=fish_1

So "I have ten fish in my tank" means I have ten fish that are the same but it can also mean ten species.
"Fishes" is not normally used for a few fish of one type but this doesn't mean it's never used.

"I have ten fishes." They are different or the same.

In one of the explanations on the internet I read "It is non-standard (but quite common) to use "fishes" to mean multiple individual fish" If "individual" means the same then both "fishes" and "fish" are used to refer to fish of one type and to different types of fish too. However "fishes" it is not standard form to use to refer to the same fish but it's still used. Scientists use "fishes" to refer to different types of fish. They also use "fish" to refer to the different fish. And they also use "fishes" and "fish" to refer to both the same and different types of fish.

Is each statement true? Do I understand correctly?

 

[Rover_KE]

I recommend that students use 'fish' as the plural. It will always be right.

Even on the odd occasion when some reader will think "I'd have said 'fishes' there", it won't be wrong.

Life's too short ...

 

[jutfrank]

Life's too short ...

Right. There are bigger fishes to fry.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes and yes.

Try searching for "fishes" and reading some of what you find. Come back and tell us your observations.

Sorry I wanted to make sure I understand you. Did you say "yes" to both these questions When "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, is the word used to refer to different fish only or to the fish of the same kind?

 

[GoesStation]

Sorry I wanted to make sure I understand you. Did you say "yes" to both these questions? 'When "fishes" is used in scientific contexts, is the word used to refer to different fish only or to [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] fish of the same kind?'

No. I was answering these questions: 'Is "I have ten fishes in my tank" ungrammatical or unnatural?'

 

[Rachel Adams]

Many dictionaries give fishes as one possible plural of fish, for example, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fish?q=fish_1

According to OAD "Fish is the usual plural form. The older form, fishes, can be used to refer to different kinds of fish."
If the older form in modern English is used to refer to different fish, was the older form also used to refer to different kinds of fish in old English, or to the same fish too?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

According to OAD "Fish is the usual plural form. The older form, fishes, can be used to refer to different kinds of fish."
If the older form in Modern English is used to refer to different fish, was the older form also used to refer to different kinds of fish in Old English, or to the same fish too?

Let's not beat a dead fish. Here's what you need to know:

- The plural of fish is fish.

- Sometimes people say fishes instead.

- That was more common a long time ago.

- The Old English word for fish isn't fish. It's fisc. You can learn more HERE.

- Don't call them fishes. Call them fish.