Originally found in Brazil, the Gold Nugget Pleco has quickly become one of the most popular pleco species out there. Paul Munday - Consumer review, I have used many products for the eradication of aiptasia over the last 15 years. Gold Nugget Pleco care is not very complex. Tried and tested by us recommend by many. If you want to maximize their lifespan, size, and happiness, give them a larger tank. Regular price $49.99 Sale price $49.99 Sale. About us In contrast to the “carnivores” of the pleco world which have become very well known nowadays Scobinancistrus, Leporacanthicus or Pseudacanthicus, such highly specialized biofilm eaters as the Baryancistrus species repay incorrect nutrition and bad care conditions with a complete stagnation of growth. The name xanthellus comes from the Greek xanthe forgold or yellow referring to the golden colouration of the species. Optimal water conditions and regular cleaning of the tank will flourish their growth and colouration. This fish is mostly found in the land of Brazil, and their natural habitat belongs to the Amazon system of Rio Xing River and Iriri River. These freshwater fish are a breeze to keep and will add an interesting splash of color to your tank! But when another species of catfish wanders into their space, there can be some trouble. Add to cart This is a stock photo, but it is a great representation of what the available animal looks like. It can reach an adult size of 25cm, although mostly seen in aquatic stores as youngsters. To start, you’ll want a nice soft substrate. Author Note: Their max size is primarily influenced by how they were raised and the quality of their diet while young. The Gold Nugget Pleco (L018) is a very attractive and long lived (25 years) species of plecostomus that has become quite popular within the aquarium trade. The Gold Nugget Pleco is a gorgeous freshwater fish that has been getting more and more interest lately, and it’s not hard to see why. This is especially true for fish that spend their time in the upper half of the aquarium. Infections like Ich and parasites are the issues that you’ll likely face. $89.00. The body is widest around the eyes and pectoral fins and gradually gets thinner to the caudal peduncle. In the wild, this species is one of the best algae eaters out there. ... Golden Vampire Pleco - Leporacanthicus heterodon Size is about 2.5 - 3 inches. While other aquarists and care guides out there throw around numbers a lot smaller (like 30 gallons), we think that’s a very bad idea for these fish. Unit B, Manor Farm, I have already recommended online that people ask NT Labs about their products and recommended usage.” Richard Pashley, Your Probiotic food is absolutely brilliant! It’s important to set up the inside of their habitat properly if you want these fish to thrive. While they could technically survive in a tank smaller than this, it’s clear that will impact their health. A nice thing about Gold Nugget Plecos is they don’t have any species-specific diseases you have to worry about. While they aren’t as hardy as some of the other species in their family, the numbers you’ll be aiming for can be maintained by aquarists of all experience levels. Scientific name: Baryancistrus sp. The Gold Nugget Pleco is a shy bottom-dweller that appreciates plenty of driftwood in its environment. The Snowball Pleco is covered in white or yellow spots. This will help keep the light that reaches the bottom under control (they’re not a fan of bright tanks) as well as improve the overall health of the water. They’ll almost never cross paths! Gold Nugget Pleco, Golden Nugget Pleco, L018, L85, L085, L177 Additional scientific names Baryancistrus sp "L018" Origin [edit | edit source] These exquisite fish come from Brazil. This lifespan assumes these fish are getting optimal care. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It will teach you everything you need to know about Gold Nugget Pleco care and get you completely ready for ownership. While there are some care guides out there that claim to have information about the Gold Nugget Breeding process, they are unfortunately mistaken. Sexing [edit | edit source] Odontodal growth on pectoral and cheeks is greater on males than females. Because of their natural habitat and how they interact with their environment, Golden Nugget Plecos are constantly using various forms of shelter to stay safe. The gold nugget pleco (Baryancistrus xanthellus) is a beautiful black and yellow spotted catfish that lives in the rocky rapids of the Amazon river. L081, the fine spotted gold nugget has smaller yellow spots. In the wild, these variations are found in different locations across Brazil, and could be considered an early stage of speciation. Often, even after years of care they do not grow any longer than about 8-12 cm. The 'L numbers' are used to name’ a new specimen before it is officially recognised and given its own scientific name. Many are taken home with a naivety that they will "clean the glass" and need little care and consideration. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. We know some owners who take unbelievably great care of their Golden Nuggets and have had them reach the 6 and even 7-year mark! These two aspects of care can make or break the health of your fish, so it’s important to take them seriously. It’s actually a rather recent addition to the fishkeeping community. They have the suckermouth and head that angles down to the substrate. Shipping calculated at checkout. When the fishes are young, it is challenging even for aquatic professionals at times, to determine the sex of these species. Unlike a lot of their relatives, this species stands out no matter what! Setup: Wood is a must-have. It is advised to find a filter which has a water flow between 4-5 times the volume of your aquarium. Just think about it, these fish can reach up to ten inches in length! Other freshwater fish have their own unique diseases on top of the standard illnesses that can plague them (which makes things more challenging from an ownership perspective). In order to supplement this, most owners drop in some sinking pellets to make sure their core dietary needs are being met. Males have a flatter, more levelled slope to their foreheads and are slightly wider about the head. There are so many amazing freshwater fish you can pair with this species, the list would just be ridiculously long if we included them all. A suboptimal habitat will lead to suboptimal health. Coming up with a feeding plan is one of the easiest parts of Gold Nugget Pleco care. How to Keep Your Aquarium Substrate Clean. Feeding the Gold Nugget Pleco is not a finicky eater and will accept most food types. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Gold Nugget Pleco L018. We recommend it to all of our customers and feedback is very positive. Populations from this stretch of the river are known by the codes L018 and L085 in the aquarium hobby. I cannot recommend your products, or staff, enough." While there are many great plecos to consider getting for your aquarium, this species deserves a serious look. Indian Almond Leaves: Benefits For Your Aquarium, The 35 Best Low Light Aquarium Plants (Must-See), 35 Peaceful Community Fish For Your Tank (Updated List). He will scrape driftwood and rocks to reduce algae and reduce leftovers from your normal feeding times from discus and other large fish. The water parameters required for Gold Nugget Plecos are very manageable. Our policy when it comes to fish with unclear breeding guidelines is to recommend avoiding it until something changes. You should also have hiding places and plants. Other tank mates include at present: Cardinal Tetras, Pristella Tetras, brilliant Rasboras, a Dwarf Gourami, and a very mature female guppy. will that get on ok with albino plecos?/ reply #4. nexuslite . This is quite easy to do since these fish always seem like their hungry!Overfeeding is not only bad for your fish, but it’s bad for your aquarium as well. After that, we recommend some tubifex or bloodworms periodically. golden nuggets get about 8 inches in captivity or 14 inches in the wild. This week’s Fish of the Week is one of the more popular, prettier fancy pleco catfish available in aquatic shops. When planning the tank setup of a Gold Nugget Pleco you’ll want to think about the kind of waters where they’re found in the wild, and how they interact with their environment. Your goal should be to provide the cleanest water possible to maximize their health.Establish a schedule for partial water changes and stick to it. It’s not a guarantee though since these large plecos can sometimes get hungry! These fish look similar to Gold Nugget Plecos, but they are an entirely different species with some notable distinctions. The reason they can get pretty territorial with other catfish is they all tend to occupy the same space. Simply put, this is not a species you can breed at home. This is arguably the best in the market! Endemic to the rio Xingu basin where it inhabits a section of the river’s main channel known as ‘Volta Grande do rio Xingu’ which lies between Belo Monte falls and the mouth of the rio Iriri in Pará state, Brazil. The Gold Nugget Pleco (Baryancistrus xanthellus) is a fairly popular type of pleco that can only be found in Brazil. 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