Shallow tank stocking suggestions

[DevilsOregano419.99]

First time poster, sorry if this is in the wrong forum

So recently my boss offered to sell me his 8'x36"x16" 250 gallon acrylic tank, previously it was used to grow out coral frags but I only have experience with freshwater tanks 55 gallons or smaller. I plan on building a 55 gallon sump with a FBF for filtration once I'm able to pick the tank up.
I was curious what monster freshwater species might be appropriate for this setup, I've considered bichirs but a tank this big is entierly new territory for me, and I imagine there are a lot of possibilities I havent thought of. Any suggestions are welcome

 

[Greenboy]

I think that the height of the tank should be about 1.5 times the length of the fish in most cases. That would mean that most "monster fish" are out of the question, unless they were something that dwell on the bottom or never went away from the surface, Bichirs (like you mentioned) sound like a good choice to me.

I have no experience in keeping them (so id ask about them in the appropriate sub forum) but i think maybe a ray might work? You could also try snakeheads, if they are legal where you are, or wolf fish?

 

[Drstrangelove]

I think you have lots of options. The length is outstanding and the width is what one might find in a 'standard' 540 gallon (e.g., an 8x3x3.)

Monster fish means something different to whomever one asks so while there are certainly some species that won't work very well, there are vast numbers that will.

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome to MFK☺ Totally agree with Drstrangelove as far as what everyone views as a monster fish and your options. You can easily do a few Upper Jaw bichirs in that aquarium.

 

[Aquatank]

If you can risk it try a small pair of freshwater stingrays or moroto's.

 

[millerkid519]

Mini marble or hystrix pair would work good.

 

[Hendre]

That screams polypterus

Calling the gang, we need to convince this guy. J jaws7777 Polyaddict86 Hao Vancouver_98683 DMD123 dmcskoolkid

 

[Vancouver_98683]

If the height is 16". For housing smaller species upper jaw bichirs. Recommended to drop water level 1.5" so they can go up for air.

Otherwise, I'd go with a school of community fishes or non aggressive type of dwarf cichlids.. That's what I'd go with due to low height.

 

[Polyaddict86]

I would suggest upper jaw bichirs like mentioned, you can put some delhezi, moke, retro, palmas polli, palmas palmas, and senegals, height wont be an issue to this guys.
16" height then you drop the water 1.5" then if your going to add another 1" layer of substrate will leave you 13.5" left.

 

[jaws7777]

I'd stay away from poly all togetger unless it was a petsamart/petco cb sen with bad gentetics lol joking any upper jaw besides ornates, teugelsi and weeksii would do. But id still probably not go full blown bichir. Tank that big i could see allot of those shy uppjaws getting lost and never being seen.

The 36 inch depth is nice and would be a really cool community tank with some fancy plecos, a school of pictus cats, rainbowfish, african butterflies....really allot of possibilities.



I would love to do a large tank peaceful comm