The population of pet fish in the UK is in the region of 140 million: about two and a half times the human population. This figure was calculated after the data from over 4000 individual fishkeepers, visiting more than 60 aquatic retail outlets nationwide.

Included in the range of responses were those who kept a single indoor coldwater fish to the very keen with several hundred pet fish in ponds and aquaria.

The average fishkeeper had 22 fish at home. However just under 7% of hobbyists kept more than 100 fish and kept over 40% of the total number of pet fish owned.

These figures are based on a survey that was conducted in 1995 and 1996, OATA undertook a similar survey in early 2006, widening the interest to include the ownership of other pets, the results of which will be made available to members only.