Fish" originally aired in the United States on NBC on Thursday September 27, 1984, at 8:00 PM Eastern time.

Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) disturbs him to say that Rudy's (Keshia Knight Pulliam) goldfish, Lamont, has died, but she does not realize it yet.

Later that day, the older kids start making fun of Lamont's death, Theo saying they should hold a memorial service for the fish around the family toilet.

Rudy loses interest in the funeral and leaves to watch television, ending the ceremony abruptly.

[9] This was the first episode of the series to air after the September 24 date that marked the official beginning of the 1984–85 United States network television season.

[11] Producer Marcy Carsey considered the episode to be an example of how the series dealt with the "reactions to small-scale events".

[14] William Raspberry of The Washington Post and Graham Jefferson of USA Today considered the episode to be a highlight of the series.

[20] In the fourth season two-part November 12, 1987 "Looking Back" episode, the family tries to help the newlywed Sondra Huxtable and Elvin reconcile after their first fight.