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.
Schooling fish are particularly popular – fish that are only happy in a group of the same species, travelling around your tank in colourful packs.
As a general rule you should make sure to have at least six of these fish in your tank at any one time – and be aware that some species thrive when there’s a particular proportion of males to females (if there’s any doubt ask an expert at your local pet shop).
So, here are 10 of the best species of schooling fish for aquarists (the official name for people who maintain aquariums).
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9. Hatchetfish
If there's not much happening at the top of your tropical tank then a school of Hatchetfish will happily fill that space. These pretty fish swim close to the surface, but watch out as they also enjoy jumping out of the water. This means they are only an option if your aquarium is securely covered. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Pygmy Cory
If you want a school of fish to help with the cleaning of your tank then the Pygmy Cory is the species for you - hoovering up small particles of food left by other aquarium inhabitants. The tiny silvery bewhiskered fish can be seen as prey for larger fish though, so be careful what you mix them with. | Canva/Getty Images