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.
There are an remarkable five million indoor fish tanks in the UK alone, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).
That’s about 10 per cent of British households – making fish the third most popular pet after dogs and cats.
It’s a fascinating hobby, particularly for youngsters, and there are few more relaxing activities than watching fish slowly swim around their home.
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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 finned friends that will happily live in the corner of your living room.
The first decision to make is whether you are going to pick a freshwater or saltwater tank - saltwater is a little more demanding - before choosing your fish breeds.
One thing to consider is that some fish are far easier to keep healthy and happy than others - so are perfect for novice fish fanciers.
Here are the 10 best breeds for newbies.
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5. Corydoras Catfish
It's always good to have a helping hand with cleaning your tank and that's exactly what the Corydoras Catfish offers. It's a bottom feeding species that will happy clean up any food that has dropped to the bottom of the tank. Native to South America and Central America, they get on very well with other species of fish and are rarely aggressive. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Harlequin Rasbora
The colourful Harlequin Rasbora is a native of Southeast Asia is a small fish that will form a dazzling shoal in your aquarium. Get up to 10 of them - they get on well with everyone and are happy to just eat basic fish flakes. | Canva/Getty Images | Canva/Getty Images
7. 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. Their one drawback is that they can be aggressive against fellow Red-tailed Black Sharks - something to look out for. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Dwarf Gouramis
Highly prized for their stunning colours, the Dwarf Gouramis only grows up to 2.5 inches in length and will be happy in either hard or soft water. The South Asian fish breathes directly from the atmosphere so needs easy access to the surface. They will live for up to four years with very little fuss - just make sure to keep their water clean otherwise they may contract diseases. | Canva/Getty Images