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.
Before you start filling your tank with whatever colourful fish that takes your fancy it’s worth doing your homework.
Some fish present a serious challenge to look after - being tremendously picky about food and conditions.
Meanwhile, others just need a clean tank with a heater, filtration and basic fish food to thrive.
Here are the 12 easiest freshwater tropical fish to look after.
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5. Corydoras Catfish
It's always good to have a helping hand with cleaning your tank and that's exactly what the Corydoras Catfish offers. It's a bottom feeding species that will happy clean up any food that has dropped to the bottom of the tank. Native to South America and Central America, they get on very well with other species of fish and are rarely aggressive. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Dwarf Gouramis
Highly prized for their stunning colours, the Dwarf Gouramis only grows up to 2.5 inches in length and will be happy in either hard or soft water. The South Asian fish breathes directly from the atmosphere so needs easy access to the surface. They will live for up to four years with very little fuss - just make sure to keep their water clean otherwise they may contract diseases. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Swordtail
No prizes for guessing how the Swordtail got its name - with its distinctive tail differentiating it from its close cousin the Platy. Selective breeding means they are available in a wide variety of colours including black, silver, orange, red, and mixed patterns. They are great for beginners as they are a community fish, meaning they get on well with other species. The only exception is males can be territorial with other males - so maybe only add one to your tank. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Betta Fish
A fish is as easy to look after as it is beautiful, the one thing beginners need to be careful of when it comes to the Betta is which sex you have. Male Battas tend to be aggressive and fight each other, so either go for a single male or a number of females, who tend to get on better with heach other. Much like humans really! | Canva/Getty Images