From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl (although goldfish really need far more space to thrive) – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.
According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association there are an incredible five million indoor fish tanks in Britain - that’s around 10 per cent of British households who own 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.
Freshwater (as opposed to saltwater) tanks are the most common type of aquarium, with a multitude of species available to fill them with colour.
Here are the 17 most popular.
9. Betta Fish
Also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, the Betta Fish have been highly-prized creatres for well over a century due to their colourful and ornate flowing fins. As their alternative name makes clear though, they can be aggressive and shouldn't be placed in a tank with other large-finned fish, while two males in close confines may well fight to the death. They tend to do best in tanks with smaller fish that gather in shoals - such as Tetras. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Red-tailed Black Shark
Despite its name, the Red-tailed Black Shark is more closely related to the humble Carp than the Great White. Critically endangered in its native Thailand, this fish is common in aquariums, where they are all captively bred. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Swordtail
No prizes for guessing how the Swordtail got its name - with its distinctive tail differentiating it from its close cousin the Platy. Selective breeding means they are available in a wide variety of colours including black, silver, orange, red, and mixed patterns. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Zebra Danio
Native to South Asia, the Zebra Danio is more commonly called the Zebra Fish - on account of its distinctive stripes. It has remarkable regenerative abilities whcih make it a popular subject of scientific research. | Canva/Getty Images