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.
There are an remarkable five million indoor fish tanks in the UK alone, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).
That’s about 10 per cent of British households – making fish the third most popular pet after dogs and cats.
It’s a fascinating hobby, particularly for youngsters, and there are few more relaxing activities than watching fish slowly swim around their home.
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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 finned friends that will happily live in the corner of your living room.
The first decision to make is whether you are going to pick a freshwater or saltwater tank - saltwater is a little more demanding - before choosing your fish breeds.
It’s important to ensure that you get the right fish for your particular aquarium or your pets will not be happy and healthy.
And while the size of tank is only limited by your budget and available space in your home, there are plenty of beautiful fish that will thrive in a smaller tank.
So, here are 12 of the best species of fish for aquarists (the posh name for people who maintain aquariums) who only have room for a small tank.
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9. Betta Fish
The Betta Fish is one of the best species to keep in a small aquarium as in their native Southeast Asia they live in the shallow muddy water of paddy fields - this is not a fish used to expansive clear waters. They are also very colourful but can be aggressive to other types of fish so are best kept by themselves. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Neon Tetra
The Neon Tetra is the UK's (and probably the world's) most popular tropical fish and a great choice for a small tank. The tiny fish's bright red and blue colouring and ease of care are a winning combination for beginners. They originally come from backwater streams in the Amazon basin in South America. They are schooling fish so there should be a minimum of six in a tank - although with a small aquarium you'll not be wanting that many more. | Canva/Getty Images
11. White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The evocatively-named White Cloud Mountain Minnow gets its moniker from where the originate - the picturesque White Cloud Mountain region in China. They school similarly to the Tetras but are a slightly more unusual aquarium resident and enjoy living in slightly cooler waters. They tend to swim near the surface of the water so don't need any great depth of tank. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Crystal Bee Shrimp
They may not strictly speaking be fish, but tiny Crystal Bee Shrimps make a great addition to any aquarium. It's fascinating to see the mscuttling around the bottom of the tank and they don't tend to bother the fish. | Canva/Getty Images