From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – 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.
Around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish – making them the third most popular animal to welcome into our homes after cats and dogs.
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 interesting finned friends.
Of course one of the things that attract people to tropical fish is their bright colours - often a warning to predators to stay away or a way to attract mates.
So, here are 10 of the most colourful fish for tropical freshwater aquariums.
5. Killifish
Killifish are small, brightly colored fish that display intricate patterns in shades of blue, red, yellow, and orange. Mainly found in the Americas, Killifish is the name for a number of related species of a fish - around 1,270 in total, each with its own distinctive colour pallete. A peaceful breed, they do like to jump out of the water - so make sure to keep your aquarium lid on. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Blue Acara
The Blue Acara is a dazzling fish that shines a stunning electric blue under aquarium lights. One of the most non-aggressive species of cichlid, they come from South America and are suitable for community tanks. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Rainbow Shark
The Rainbow Shark is a striking fish with a sleek black body and vibrant red fins that is native to Southeast Asia. They tend to be territorial so are only able to share a tanks with fast-swimming, non-aggressive species. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Cardinal Tetra
The Neon Tetra may be the most popular aquarium fish in the world, but its close cousin the Cardinal Tetra is the more colourful, with a more vibrant neon blue upper and a red stripe extending across its whole body (the Neon Teatra's only runs half way). Native to the Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America, they are slightly less hardy than the Neon Tetra - and more expensive to buy. | Canva/Getty Images