It is estimated that 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.
From garden ponds filled with Koi Carp to the humble goldfish bowl – the UK is a nation of fish lovers.
And 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 interesting finned friends.
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 the aggressive Betta often won’t reach its third birthday.
Here’s how long 25 of the most popular freshwater tropical fish live for.
5. 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
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
7. Betta
Also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, the Betta Fish have been highly-prized creatres for well over a century due to their colourful and ornate flowing fins. They live from 2-4 years. | Canva/Getty Images
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