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Around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish –that make 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 (although goldfish really need more toom to thrive) – 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.
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 fascinating species.
One thing to consider is that some fish tend to live considerably longer lives than others - the humble goldfish can live for over 30 years, while conversely the beautiful Betta often won’t reach its third birthday.
Here’s how long 13 of the most popular freshwater tropical fish live for.
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5. Goldfish
The humble goldfish can live for a long time if looked after properly (NOT in a tiny bowl). They tend to live for at least 10 years, but it's not unusual for them to live for as long as 30. | | Canva/Getty Images
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6. Clown Loach
Originating on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, the Clown Loach is a popular aquarium fish thanks to its distinctive tiger-like orange-and-black stripes. They live for 10-15 years. | Canva/Getty Images
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7. Molly
From the same family as the Guppy, Mollies are widespread across the Americas, the Molly can come in a variety of colours, with black and orange being among the most popular with aquarium owners. They live for 4-5 years. | Canva/Getty Images
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8. Angelfish
There are three different species of Angelfish, all of which originate from the Amazon and Orinoco Basins of South America. All have similarly long lifespans - living for at least 10 years if cared for properly. | Canva/Getty Images