is a fish an animal?

Yes, a fish is an animal. Fish belong to the phylum Chordata, which includes all animals that possess a spinal column. Fish are vertebrates, meaning they have a backbone, and are further classified as aquatic vertebrates, meaning they live in water. Fish are incredibly diverse, with over 30,000 known species ranging from tiny aquarium fish to massive ocean dwellers like whales and sharks. They exhibit a variety of features and adaptations that allow them to survive in different aquatic environments.