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From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – 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.
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 colourful and interesting finned friends.
But if you’re setting up an aquarium and want to have a number of different fish, then you’ll want once that aren’t going to fight (or even eat) each other - in what is known as a ‘community tank’.
Here are the 17 best breeds of friendly fish for community aquariums.
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9. Cherry Barb
Most species of barb are pretty chilled, but the Cherry Barb is probably the least aggressive of the lot - they're unlikely to lay a fin on another fish. Another schooling fish, they like to have their own wee gang of fellow barbs. | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Bristlenose Pleco
Amazingly camoflagued - you could be forgiven for thinking they're a rock - Bristlenose Plecos are peaceful algae eaters that help maintain a clean tank. Unlike the Common Plecos, they stay relatively small, making them more suitable for home community aquariums. Pop a piece of driftwood in their tank so they can enjoy gracing on it. | Canva/Getty Images
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11. Kuhli Loach
For something a bit unusual, add a few Kuhli Loach to your community tank. These peaceful, eel-like fish thrive in groups and enjoy burrowing in the substrate. They are nocturnal and prefer a well-planted tank with hiding spots. They are excellent at cleaning up leftover food but should be fed sinking pellets to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. | Canva/Getty Images
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12. Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus Catfish are small algae eaters that thrive in groups. They are highly peaceful and help control algae growth in a community tank. They require a well-established aquarium with plenty of biofilm and hiding spots. They do best with tetras, rasboras, and other non-aggressive fish. | Canva/Getty Images