FISH, that class of vertebrate animals which lives exclusively in water, breathes through gills, and whose limbs take the form of fins (see FISHES and PISCICULTURE) . The article FISH ERIES deals with the subject from the economic point of view, and ANGLING with the sport of fishing. The constellation and sign of the zodiac known as "the fishes" is treated under PISCES.
The fish was an early symbol of Christ in primitive and me diaeval Christian art. The origin is to be found in the initial letters of the names and titles of Jesus in Greek, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour, which together spell the Greek word for "fish," lx0in.