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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13. Cardinal Tetra
Similar to the Neon Tetra, but with a distinctive red lower half of the body and an even more vibrant blue stripe, the Cardinal Tetra is slightly less popular - and more expensive - because it is more difficult to breed in captivity. It's still just as easy to look after though. | Canva/Getty Images
14. Black Skirt Tetra
Most fish with the word 'tertra' in their name tend to be good for beginners, and that's true of the striking Black Skirt Tetra (and it really does look like it's wearing a wee skirt). One word of caution - they occasionally nip at other fish's fins so keep an eye on their tankmates. They are another fish that likes to school - so buy a handful. | Canva/Getty Images
15. Cherry Barb
Another schooling fish, you'll want a minimum of six Cherry Barb in your tank to keep them happy. Native to Sri Lanka, keep the ratio at two females to every male to maintain a healthy hierarchy. It's easy to tell the difference as the male is deep red, compared to the female's browny red colour. | Canva/Getty Images
16. Platy
Native to the rivers of Central America, the Platy is yet another low-maintenance livebearer. There are actually two distinct species - the Southern Platyfish and the Variatus Platy - but they have been interbred to the point that any Platy bought in a pet shop will be a hybrid of the two. | Canva/Getty Images