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.
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) say there are an incredible five million indoor fish tanks in Britain.
That meams that roughly 10 per cent of British households own at least one fish – making them the third most popular pet after dogs and cats.
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 that will happily live in the corner of your living room.
If you’re setting up an aquarium for the first time it’s worth noting that, when it comes to price, some rare fish can cost tens of thousands of pounds and will be out of reach of all but the wealthiest aquariasts (the posh name for people who maintain aquariums).
Luckily for most of us though, some of the most popular - and most beautiful - fish cost very little.
Here are 10 of the most inexpensive.
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1. Guppy
Another hugely popular choice for inexperienced aquariasts due to their low maintenance nature is the Guppy. Anybody who has woken up to unexpectedly find a dozen baby guppies in their tank will know how easy these live bearers are to breed. The price will depend on the numerous colours and tail shapes available, but most are priced from 60p-£4. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Neon Tetra
The colourful Neon Tetra is probably the world's most popular pet tropical fish, and for good reason. It's a peaceful fish that's not too fussy about its enviromnent and is perfect for beginners. It's also the cheapest fish out there to buy - expect to pay between 40p and £1.80. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Glowlight Tetra
Tetras tend to be inexpensive fish, thank to the relative ease of breeding. Another example is the Glowlight Tetra, named after the luminous stripe of orange/red along their body which gives off a warm glow in soft lighting. These peaceful shoaling fish can be bought for between £1.80 and £3. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Platy
Like the Guppy, the Platy is a livebearer and are almost as cheap. They are great fish to keep as pets easy to care for, colourful and friendly. They like being kept in small groups and come in a range of shapes and colours, all of which have slightly different prices. Expect to pay in the region of 75p-£3.75 per fish. | Canva/Getty Images