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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17. Boesemani Rainbowfish
Tropical fish don't come much more colourful than the glorious Boesemani Rainbowfish - but they are also a pretty easy fish for a beginner. They love to be sociable and school - either with fellow Boesemani Rainbowfish or any other finned friends that will have them. | Canva/Getty Images