From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl (although goldfish need larger tanks to thrive) – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.
According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association there are a remarkable five million indoor fish tanks in Britain.
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).
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 interesting finned friends.
Of course one of the things that attract people to tropical fish is their bright colours.
These serve a number of functions - including a warning to predators to stay away, signal to other species, blend in with colourful coral, or to attracting a mate.
So, here are 13 of the most colourful fish for tropical freshwater aquariums.
13. Rainbow Shark
The Rainbow Shark is a striking fish with a sleek black body and vibrant red fins that is native to Southeast Asia. They tend to be territorial so are only able to share a tanks with fast-swimming, non-aggressive species. | Canva/Getty Images