In Oz, where all the animals and birds can talk, many fishes are able to talk also, but usually they are more stupid than birds and animals because they think slowly and haven't much to talk about.
In the Lake of the Skeezers the fish of smaller size were more active than the big ones and darted quickly in and out among the swaying weeds, as if they had important business and were in a hurry.

It was among the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the gold and silver and bronze fishes.

She had an idea the three would keep together, being companions now as they were in their natural forms, but such a multitude of fishes constantly passed, the scene shifting every moment, that she was not sure she would notice them even if they appeared in view.

Her eyes couldn't look in all directions and the fishes she sought might be on the other side of the dome, or far away in the lake.
"P'raps, because they were afraid of Coo-ee-oh, they've hid themselves somewhere, and don't know their enemy has been transformed," she reflected.
She watched the fishes for a long time, until she became hungry and went back to the palace for lunch.

But she was not discouraged.
"Anything new, Ozma ?" she asked.
"No, dear.