From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl (although goldfish are far happier living in a larger tank) – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) say there are an incredible five million indoor fish tanks in Britain.
That meams that roughly 10 per cent of British households own at least one fish – making them the third most popular pet after dogs and cats.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to adding fish to (well prepared and correctly set up) home aquariums, with pet shops offering a bewildering range of colourful and interesting finned friends that will happily live in the corner of your living room.
If you’re setting up an aquarium for the first time (perhaps after Santa has got you one) it’s worth noting that some fish get on with other breeds, while others are best kept in a tank away from potential rivals (or even food).
If you are looking to create a community tank - an ecosystem where a number of species live in happy and non-aggressive harmony - then there are a fair few species known for their placid and happy-go-lucky nature.
So, here are the 18 best species of fish for community tanks.
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1. Guppy
Another hugely popular staple of community tanks the world over is the brightly-coloured guppy which happily co-exists with other similarly-placid species of fish. The only exception is if they give birth to babies - it's best to pop the baby fish into a different aquarium in case they become a snack. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are one of the world's most popular tropical fish, with the small, schooling fish known for their striking blue and red stripes. It's best to keep at least six so they have a group of buddies to swim around with. This is a fish that doesn't have an aggressive scale on its beautiful body. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Dwarf Gourami
Dwarf gouramis are colorful and peaceful fish that thrive in a community tank with plenty of vegetation. The males can get a bit territorial so it's best to just have one boy fish per tank. These fish live in the wild in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Harlequin Rasbora
Harlequin rasboras are known for their distinctive orange bodies with black triangular markings and have been kept in aquariums for over a century. They are another schooling fish that are happiest in groups of six or more and are the perfect hardy fish for beginners. Their peaceful nature allows them to coexist with a wide range of community fish. | Canva/Getty Images