It is estimated that around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish – making them the third most popular animal to welcome into our homes after cats and dogs.
From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.
And the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) say there are an incredible five million indoor fish tanks in Britain.
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 - both for freshwater and saltwater tanks.
But some fish top the charts when it comes to popularity amongst aquarists (the fancy name for people who maintain aquariums).
Here are the 10 species of reef fish that are most commonly found in saltwater aquariums in living rooms around the country.
9. Green Chromis
Green Chromis (Chromis viridis)** Green Chromis are small, schooling fish with a shimmering green-blue coloration that offer flashes of colour as they swim around the aquarium. They are peaceful, making them excellent community fish. They do best in groups and require ample swimming space. Hardy and easy to feed, they adapt well to various tank conditions and are often kept in reef setups due to their gentle nature. These are super-chilled finned friends. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Damselfish
There are damselfish that come in pretty much every colour of the rainbow and many are popular pets thanks to their relatively small size - even the largest species only reach about 30cm in length. Their diets include small crustaceans, plankton, and algae. | Canva/Getty Images