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I know fish and fishes are both correct depending on the situation. But, what would you say in the following situation?

How many fish/fishes can you see in the lake? -> 5 fish/fishes

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  • fishes is common in the Bible and literature.
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 10, 2020 at 22:34
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    Does this answer your question? Fish vs Fishes for plural use
    – user3395
    Commented Jan 10, 2020 at 23:13

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Both are correct, there is variation in use.

Saying "fish" sounds rather more formal, and so would be the standard use, but a question like this would often be asked to a child or in an informal context, so "fishes" is equally correct.

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    I disagree heartily. We would not commonly say "How many fishes do you see in the lake?". fishes is either literary or archaic or some really odd local thing.
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 10, 2020 at 22:34
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    @Lambie Also commonly used in formal, technical contexts to talk about multiple kinds of fish: link.springer.com/journal/10641
    – user230
    Commented Jan 10, 2020 at 22:36
  • I tend to disagree in this context. "fishes" sounds childish, but no more.
    – James K
    Commented Jan 10, 2020 at 22:43

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