All fish / Loricariidae

Gold Nugget Pleco

Baryancistrus xanthellus

Also known as gold nugget plec, l018, l081, l085, l177, golden nugget pleco, gold nugget plecostomus, l18, l81, l85, ゴールデンオレンジフィンタイガー, ゴールデンナゲットプレコ

A dark grey to black suckermouth catfish covered in bright yellow spots, with yellow edges on the dorsal and tail fins. It is kept for its striking colour and is one of the best known L-number plecos from the Xingu.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

Single or a group in a large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, vegetables, biofilm, plus frozen bloodworm and shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Rio Xingu basin

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards the eggs and young inside a cave. Captive breeding is rare and has only occasionally been achieved, so most fish are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs warm, very well oxygenated water with strong flow and is territorial towards other bottom dwellers. Its home river has been affected by the Belo Monte dam, and Brazilian export rules can limit supply.