stocking my 180 gallon planted tank

[the lion who ate the sun]

Hey guys! I just picked up my 180 gallon setup! I stripped the stand yesterday, and will be giving it a professional stain tonight. By Sunday the tank will be 'scaped and ready to go!

All that remains is to determine what fish will go in it.

So far I have:

11 inch Senegal Bichir x2

4 inch Clown Loach x4

5 inch raphael catfish x1

Those guys are all migrating from an existing tank.


I'm thinking about getting a pair of delhezi bichir and a pair of spotted gar. Will this work? I have heard that putting a gar straight into a ᤾180 can cause it to get really big. Can anyone confirm this? Is a short nosed gar a more reasonable choice for a 180?

Anyone have alternative ideas? How are peacock bass? I want some really unique monster fish! I couldnt be more excited to have finally aquired the means!

 

[divemaster99]

Actually from what I've heard, it's best to start gar in a small tank and work them to a large setup as when they're small and they get startled in a large tank it gives them enough time to build up a large amount of momentum to smash into the side of the tank which will hurt their snout. I also would do Florida Gars in a 180 if you want gar, spotteds are a bit to large for a 6'x2' IMO.

 

[the lion who ate the sun]

Hrmm... so it wont impact its growth? That was my primary concern. I definitely dont want to put a fish in a tank that's too small. It makes me sick on my stomach to see people with arowana in 125/150/180 gallon tanks

Edit:

I am looking into padding the sides of the tank with aquarium safe foam to prevent the issue you mentioned.

 

[divemaster99]

Hrmm... so it wont impact its growth? That was my primary concern. I definitely dont want to put a fish in a tank that's too small. It makes me sick on my stomach to see people with arowana in 125/150/180 gallon tanks

Edit:

I am looking into padding the sides of the tank with aquarium safe foam to prevent the issue you mentioned.

Heres some nice material. It talks about how gars need a small tank when young and bigger as they grow. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?419773-Proper-Husbandry-for-Your-Gar