The title “Gold Nugget Pleco” is brief for “Gold Nugget Plecostomus or Baryancistrus xanthellus.” They are a catfish algae eater exported and known to aquarium hobby in the UK in 1981.
This catfish species is one of the popular bottom-dweller fish under the licoriidae family. “Gold Nugget” is the common name of these fish and has been described with many L-numbers until they were scientifically described in 2011.
These algae eater fish can grow up to 8.8 inches in the aquarium. But in the wild, they can grow larger reach 13 inches. In optimal condition, they can live up to 5 years.
You will see the gold nugget plecostomus called with their letter and number identification in trade. L018 or L-18 is their number identification. There are some varieties of them with different L-number.
Other varieties of these bottom aquarium fish are L085 which has a similar appearance to L018 with medium sized-dots. L177 has large dots, and L081 has tiny dots.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Feeding And Diet
Choosing the right diet for Gold Nugget Pleco isn’t challenging because of the proven fact that they are not really picky eaters.
By placing their favorites food onto the bottom areas of the tank. They will catch a big portion of their food.
Another freshwater algae-eating fish, you can read here.
The gold nugget plecostomus are known as omnivores in their wild habitat. They may prey on some invertebrates or eating some float or stem vegetations.
When there are no algae left in the aquarium, Live or frozen foods can be fed. They also feed on dried foods such as flakes-based algae and pellets.
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Tank Setup
A Gold nugget pleco requires several conditions about their tank house. They need a water temperature level between 77–86 °F (25–30 °C), pH level should be around 6.0 – 7.4.
They are growing better in a larger tank, at least a 55-gallon tank size. Because they might eat some aquarium plants, they should be housed in a large aquarium with more space for them to explore.
Nevertheless, all tropical aquatic plants are not eaten by them as well as their nibbling will most likely go unseen in many tanks.
Adding some driftwood into the pleco tank is a good idea. They will be happy and often swimming around it and usually nibbling the algae that grow on it.
Some driftwood might have harmful substances soaked into it, which creates health problems for them.
The manzanita woods is a safe driftwood variety and maybe a good option to put into your pleco tank.
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Reproduction
These suckermouth fish species are hard to reproduce in the home aquarium.
There are many reports from some aquarist which not been successfully bred them in captivity.
Golden nugget pleco may breed naturally in their habitat. We will update this article if there is new information about breeding them.
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Tankmates
Golden nugget plecos need some treatment within their tankmates’ selection. Golden nugget plecos male can get alongside many fish but might combat with guys of the own species. They get on nicely with any fish that doesn’t spend time on the bottom of the aquarium.
Any fish that are swimming within the upper and middle level of the aquarium. Tetras species can be excellent buddies for them. Another suitable tankmates is Apistogramma, Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Pearl Gourami, Celestial Pearl Danio.
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Source / Environment
These pleco fish is originally from the South American river in Rio Xingu in Brazil.
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Water Problems Maintenance
Golden nugget plecos originate from the upper Amazon River. The water from these areas has really particular problems with ph and temperature.
These algae eater species don’t be survived in cooler conditions. The water is preferred by these plecostomus species is having a pH level of around 6.
That’s the information on Algae Eating Fish Plecostomus in Tropical Tanks: Gold Nugget Pleco. Hopefully, this information can be useful for you.
