Bullhead, crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, channel cats, small mouth. Is there any way a small mouth could live in a 250 gallon by its self. As for substrate, Id like to do playsand. Im afraid it will get in the pump and that it will be extremly hard to clean. Would bare bottom be ok for a bullhead bluegill and crappie tank. I abondoned the idea of weather loaches because they are escape artist.