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.
But if you’re setting up an aquarium for the first time there are some fish that experts recommend due to their ease of care and low prices.
So, here are the 17 best species of fish for novice aquarists (the posh name for people who maintain aquariums).
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5. 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
6. Zebra Danio
Also known as the Zebra Fish. like most of the fish on this list the Zebra Danio is a relatively small fish, hence doesn't need an enormous tank. Get at least five and they will naturally form a school. These fish will eat pretty much anything so that's one less thing to worry about. | Canva/Getty Images
7. 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
8. Betta Fish
A fish that is as easy to look after as it is beautiful, the one thing beginners need to be careful of when it comes to the Betta is which sex you have. Male Battas tend to be aggressive and fight each other, so either go for a single male or a number of females, who tend to get on better with heach other. Much like humans really! | Canva/Getty Images