Forget trophy cars. Forget trophy houses, and definitely forget trophy wives, as the latest symbol of status and wealth is a multi-million dollar aquarium. Hollywood actors, world-class football players, Russian oligarchs and pop stars, are willingly forking out six-figure sums on highly extravagant aquariums.

There is something highly luxurious about walking into a room and being faced with a gigantic tank full of exotic-looking and brightly-coloured fish. As a consequence of its symbol of style and affluence, a craze for six-figure fish tanks has become the latest ‘must-have’ luxury accessory.

Manchester City football player Stephen Ireland is the latest premier-league footballer to join the current aquarium fashion. The striker has a 6,000 litre, 13ft salt-water aquarium, with a built-in computer to regulate the temperature and quality of the water, a reef from Fuji and 500 tropical fish, all for just under $160,000.

Although it’s not just footballers who have gone crazy for tropical fish, as Cher, Madonna and several of the royals are reported to own one.

Andrew Whiston, managing director of Ultimate Aquatics, is more than aware of the rich and famous’ desire to own a luxury fish tank. According to Andre Whiston:

“If you take a list of premier footballers, half of which will have fish tanks. It’s got nothing all to do with the fish and everything to do with showing off – they’ve got their Bentley and now they want a bloody big fish tank.”

Showing off aside, owning tropical fish can not only be mesmerizing to watch, but look fantastic in a living room. And none more so than the £3 million Aquavista Dinosaur Gold Aquarium. A beautiful panoramic wall aquarium gilded in 68kg of 24K gold. Being made out of 24K gold is not the only feature that helps to give this lavish aquarium its hefty price tag, as it also has historic value, with a piece of real T-Rex dinosaur bone has been shaved into the diagonal sides.

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