Introduction
Fish are one of the oldest and most diverse groups of animals on the planet, found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams across every continent. They come in every shape and size, from tiny minnows to massive whale sharks. Fish breathe through gills, move with fins, and are perfectly adapted to life underwater. Their collective nouns often reflect the graceful, mysterious, or high-energy movement of groups swimming as one, which is why fish are known for having some of the most famous collective terms in the animal kingdom.
Collective Nouns for Fish
| Animal | Collective Noun | Full Term | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barracuda | Battery | A Battery of Barracuda | |
| Bass | Fleet | A Fleet of Bass | |
| Bass | School | A School of Bass | |
| Bass | Shoal | A Shoal of Bass | |
| Butterfly Fish | School | A School of Butterfly Fish | |
| Cod | Lap | A Lap of Cod | |
| Cod | School | A School of Cod | |
| Catfish | School | A School of Catfish | |
| Dragonet Fish | Swarm | A Swarm of Dragonet Fish | |
| Eels | Bind | A Bind of Eels | |
| Eels | Fry | A Fry of Eels | |
| Eels | Swarm | A Swarm of Eels | |
| Goldfish | Glimmer | A Glimmer of Goldfish | |
| Goldfish | Glint | A Glint of Goldfish | |
| Goldfish | Sweep | A Sweep of Goldfish | |
| Goldfish | Troubling | A Troubling of Goldfish | |
| Goldfish | Trouble | A Trouble of Goldfish | |
| Gudgeons | Troubling | A Troubling of Gudgeons | |
| Herrings | Army | An Army of Herrings | |
| Herrings | Cran | A Cran of Herrings | |
| Herrings | Glean | A Glean of Herrings | |
| Herrings | Shoal | A Shoal of Herrings | |
| Jellyfish | Brood | A Brood of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Fluther | A Fluther of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Jive | A Jive of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Smack | A Smack of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Smuck | A Smuck of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Smuth | A Smuth of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Stuck | A Stuck of Jellyfish | |
| Jellyfish | Swarm | A Swarm of Jellyfish | |
| Mackerel | Shoal | A Shoal of Mackerel | |
| Minnows | Shoal | A Shoal of Minnows | |
| Minnows | Fleet | A Fleet of Minnows | |
| Minnows | Steam | A Steam of Minnows | |
| Minnows | Stream | A Stream of Minnows | |
| Minnows | Swarm | A Swarm of Minnows | |
| Perch | Pack | A Pack of Perch | |
| Pilchards | School | A School of Pilchards | |
| Pilchards | Shoal | A Shoal of Pilchards | |
| Porcupine Fish | Cluster | A Cluster of Porcupine Fish | |
| Salmon | Bind | A Bind of Salmon | |
| Salmon | Draught | A Draught of Salmon | |
| Salmon | Leap | A Leap of Salmon | |
| Salmon | Run | A Run of Salmon | |
| Salmon | School | A School of Salmon | |
| Salmon | Shoal | A Shoal of Salmon | |
| Seahorses | Family | A Family of Seahorses | |
| Sardines | Family | A Family of Sardines | |
| Sharks | Pack | A Pack of Sharks | |
| Sharks | School | A School of Sharks | |
| Sharks | Shiver | A Shiver of Sharks | |
| Sharks | Shoal | A Shoal of Sharks | |
| Swordfish | Flotilla | A Flotilla of Swordfish | |
| Trout | Hover | A Hover of Trout | |
| Trout | Shoal | A Shoal of Trout | |
| Tuna | Float | A Float of Tuna | |
| Tuna | Leash | A Leash of Tuna |
Frequently Asked Questions About Fish
Do all fish live in saltwater?
No, some live in freshwater, some in saltwater, and some (like salmon) live in both during different stages of life.
Can fish drown?
Yes. If water has too little oxygen, or if a fish’s gills are damaged, it can’t get the oxygen it needs.
What’s the difference between a fish and a mammal that lives underwater?
Dolphins and whales are mammals, they breathe air with lungs, not gills, and must surface to breathe.
Interesting Facts
- The whale shark is the world’s largest fish, longer than a school bus.
- Some fish can change color, shape, or even change sex to adapt to their environment.
- Schools of fish move with lightning-fast coordination, reacting as a group to predators.
- Fish have a special “lateral line” that senses vibrations and movement in the water.
Before the School Swims On…
Fish are some of the most remarkable and ancient lifeforms on Earth, mastering every kind of water environment imaginable. Whether they swim alone, dive deep into darkness, or move as a shimmering school, each species has a story, and a collective noun, that helps us understand their behavior and beauty. Explore the list below to discover the fascinating names used for groups of fish and other underwater creatures!