Gold nugget pleco
Baryancistrus sp. cf. xanthellus
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 81–90°F (27–32°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 55 gal (210 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Brazil
- Family
- Loricariidae
Overview
The gold nugget pleco is a bold, mostly peaceful loricariid best kept one to a tank, as adults defend a favored patch of wood or rock and can bicker with other plecos. It sits low in the tank, grazing surfaces by day and night, and mixes fine with active mid-water fish that enjoy the same warm, fast water. Although it rasps algae and biofilm from wood and stone, it needs more than greens: feed algae wafers and vegetables alongside sinking pellets and occasional frozen bloodworms. Provide driftwood, caves, and brisk flow, and aim for a tank around 210 liters or larger.
In the wild
This pleco comes from the fast, rocky rapids of the Rio Xingu in Brazil, where the water is warm, clear, and saturated with oxygen. Recreate that with a strong current, powerful filtration, and a warm range of 27 to 32 degrees C at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Since warm water holds less oxygen, extra surface movement or an airstone helps. Use a scape of smooth rounded stones and driftwood with caves and grazing surfaces, and keep nitrates low with frequent water changes.
Good to know
Baryancistrus sp. cf. xanthellus belongs to Loricariidae, the suckermouth armored catfishes, and is traded under L-numbers including L018, L081, and L177 depending on spot size. It reaches about 25 centimeters, its body sheathed in bony plates and its underslung mouth working as a sucker for clinging to rock in current. It grazes the film of algae and tiny organisms known as aufwuchs. Home breeding is not on record.
Did you know
The gold nugget's black body with glowing yellow spots and fin trim comes from the Rio Xingu, the same fast Amazon tributary that produces the zebra pleco. Its different spot sizes carry separate L-numbers: small dots as L081, medium as L018, and large as L177.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Gold nugget pleco?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Blue Panaque (L239)
Baryancistrus beggini4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Blue Phantom Pleco (L128)
Hemiancistrus sp. L1289.8 in (25 cm)66 gal (250 L)81–86°F (27–30°C)
Sultan Pleco (L264)
Leporacanthicus joselimai8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
Blue-eyed pleco
Panaque cochliodon11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Spotted pleco
Hypostomus punctatus11.8 in (30 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Green Phantom Pleco (L200)
Hemiancistrus subviridis7.1 in (18 cm)53 gal (200 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)