The Gold Nugget Plecostomus (Baryancistrus sp.) L-018 is a nocturnal sucker mouth catfish native to the lower Amazon and Xingu Rivers of Brazil and Venezuela. They have brown to black bodies with light to deep yellow spots all over. Matching light to deep yellow bands outline the dorsal and caudal fins giving the fish a strikingly beautiful appearance.
The Baryancistrus genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish to which the Gold Nugget Plecostomus belong are differentiated from other related genera by the membrane connecting their dorsal fin and adipose fin.
Gold Nugget Plecos are shy bottom dwellers that require plenty of hiding places, caves and driftwood in their environment. They do best in well planted tanks with good filtration systems and a power head to provide moderate water movement and highly oxygenated water. Gold Nugget Plecos like sand or a fine gravel substrate and even in densely planted, well established aquariums, will not damage live plants.
Although Gold Nugget Plecos can be housed with most other peaceful fish and make an excellent addition to most community aquariums, they are best kept as single specimens. They tend to be aggressive and territorial towards other Gold Nugget Plecos and probably with other Loricariids.
Because Gold Nugget Plecostomus are herbivores and detritivores, they are easy to feed in an aquarium environment. Most of their nutrition is obtained from algae and leftover fish food on the bottom of the tank. When no algae or driftwood is present, their diet should be supplemented with a high quality flake food, sinking algae wafers, carnivore pellets, freeze dried bloodworms and tubifex worms.
Most Baryancistrus sp. have not been bred in captivity and to date, the Gold Nugget Plecos breeding habits have not been documented by any tropical fish keeping enthusiast. This could be due to the fact that even as adult specimens, they are extremely difficult to sex.
Gold Nugget Plecostomus are not common and demand a respectable price when they do become available. When choosing your Gold Nugget Plecostomus, make sure that the stomach area does not appear to be sucked in. This is an indication of malnutrition.
Gold Nugget Plecos are usually 1-1/2″ to 2-1/2″ long when they are available for purchase.
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 73-82° F, Soft, dh range to 4dH, pH 6.5-7.0
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Tan, Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: OK community tank fish
Origin: South America
Family: Loricariidae
Life Span: 25 Years
Aquarist Experience Lever: Not suitable for beginner aquarists
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