TankBud

Golden hypostomus

Hypostomus luteus

Also known as Golden pleco, Yellow hypostomus

FreshwaterFish

Golden hypostomus (Hypostomus luteus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–79°F
18–26°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
13.8 in
35 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Uruguay River basin, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina

Overview

The golden hypostomus is a large, cool-water pleco for a big, roomy tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The golden hypostomus only turns gold with age. Young fish are a drab brown speckled with yellow, and the dark pigment fades as they mature. Keepers who move their fish on while young never see the solid butter gold adult.

Caring for the golden hypostomus

Give the golden hypostomus a tank of at least 106 gal (400 L), with floor space to itself. It appreciates driftwood to rasp, set among rock.

It is a cool-water pleco and does not want tropical heat. Keep it at 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. An unheated or lightly heated tank often suits it best. Give it strong flow and moving, oxygen-rich water.

It grazes algae and biofilm and needs plenty of vegetables, such as zucchini and blanched greens. Add the odd protein treat.

Keep one per tank. It is mostly peaceful but grows big and can be territorial with other bottom-dwellers, so choose tank mates with care. Breeding in aquariums is not on record, so there is no established method.

Good to know

Hypostomus luteus is a loricariid, also sold as the golden pleco or yellow hypostomus. Its name comes from the Latin for yellow.

In the wild

The golden hypostomus lives in the Uruguay River basin across southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. These subtropical rivers run cooler than most tropical pleco streams.

Common questions

What size tank does a golden hypostomus need?

A golden hypostomus needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a golden hypostomus need?

A golden hypostomus is comfortable at 64–79°F (18–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a golden hypostomus eat?

A golden hypostomus grazes algae and biofilm and needs plenty of vegetables, such as zucchini and blanched greens. Give it the odd protein treat as well.

How big does a golden hypostomus get?

An adult golden hypostomus reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).

Related species