Oh...the fish are a sort of mnemonic device/code. They indicate certain things having to do with the construction process, but aren't necessary to the basic idea. You couldn't build one from the schematics without understanding though.

Only I was bored at some point and just started doodling fish. So my the Magnificometer might have to remember have to be one of a kind unless I can remember whether the one with all the finny bits was supposed to be there.