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.
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 conversely the beautiful Betta often won’t reach its third birthday.
Here’s how long 12 of the most popular freshwater tropical fish live for.
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5. Platy
The bright orange Platy is native to the east coast of Central America and southern Mexico. You can expect them to live for 3-5 years. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Corydoras Catfish
Another bottom feeding species that will keep your tank nice and clean, the Corydoras Catfish is native to South America and Central America. They live for 5-10 years. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Red-tailed Black Shark
Despite its name, the Red-tailed Black Shark is more closely related to the humble Carp than the Great White. Critically endangered in its native Thailand, they can live for anywhere between 4-10 years. | Canva/Getty Images
8. 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