It's partly a regional thing , but there are some "rules" behind it: when they're talking about a multitude of any fish, fish would be the plural. When they're talking about multiple species, "fishes" should be used. (I caught a lot of fish today.) (This aquarium contains many fishes (so many species).)

A Kim Possible episode taught me that, lol. (Shego and Dr. Drakken)

The Bible even says that Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves and the two "fishes".

You learn something new every day. I knew both were plural but didn't know that fishes referred to species. Awesome.

Nope, fishes is one form of the plural for fish, simple as that. The correct way to say your second example would be 'many species of fish' because 'many fishes' would just mean many fish.

1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

That's also what my Biology teacher told me! So YDI op. No consolation there!

#53, As a wildlife biologist, I can honestly say your correction is incorrect.

Last time I checked it was sheep not Sheeps

#30- google satire

has anyone told you you're a di*beep*?

you are wrong. fish- pleural, same species fishes- pleural, different species

So analogously, sheep - many sheep of the same species sheepes - many sheep of different species. Does this work with moose too? I'm here all day folks. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

#50, "plural" means more than one; "pleural" means pertaining to the pleura, which is a membrane that lines the thorax and surrounds the lungs.

The plural of moose is meese, everyone knows that.

The plural for moose is... MOOSEN. Example: I saw a flock of moosen. There were many of 'em. Many much moosen!

in this instance yes. "fishes" is only used when you're referring to multiple species of fish. for example, if you said you saw four fish while scuba diving, this means you saw four individual fish. however if you said you saw four fishes, then you saw four individual species of fish. so in this instance the OP was correct, because the script wasn't talking about different species, but rather "bigger fishes". but yes fishes is also a possible plural form of fish.

#16 This is generally true, but in some cases it can just be a regional difference, and that doesn't always make it wrong.

Good to know, Darling

#47 - You are awesome. That comment made my day! :)

#47 I know thats why I said it, sometimes sarcasm doesn't translate into text, so no need to punch me in the throat (or fingers in this case) I work in a scrapyard and a lady in the office greets everyone in the morning with "Hello kiddies" **** its annoying.

It's not for no reason. "Fishes" is still improper in most cases. Don't fall under the guile of those idiots whom you've previously spoken of.