Fishkeeping - Caresheets - Gold Nugget Pleco (L177, L081, L018/85)

Gold Nugget Pleco
Alternative Name(s): L177, L081, L018/85
Scientific Name(s): Baryancistrus, L177, L081, L018/85
Category: Tropical
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 20cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 150 litres
Minimum Tank Size:
Water Temperature Range: 24-28°C
Water pH Range: 6.5-7.5
Water Hardness Range: 0-0 dGH

General Information:	Sub categorised into three different types, L018/85, L081 and L177. They originate from three different parts of the Xingu river in the Amazon rainforest, they have a dark green-black body with striking yellow spots and a band of yellow on the tip of the dorsal and caudal fins. L081 has small yellow spots, L018/85 has medium yellow spots and L177 is the large spot variety. The L numbers are used to categorise them until a scientific name is given. Demanding of high water quality!
Tank Requirements:	See Minimum Tank Volume and Minimum Tank Size above
Diet Requirements:	GN's will eat most food left over from other fish as well as grazing on algae and "chewing" on bogwood to supplement its diet with fibre. A good algae wafer and fresh veg should be fed frequently.
Compatibility:	Can be aggresive towards smaller fish, and will indeed attempt to eat small fish such as Tetras when it reaches adult size. Territorial and will chase away rival Plecos and other bottom feeders.
Recommendations:	The GN should be given plenty of bogwood to graze upon and a defined territory with as many caves as possible, ideally feed fresh veg twice weekly and feed before lights out as this fish is nocturnal.
Common Problems:	As with most bottom feeders the Gold Nugget is susceptable to bacterial infection and fungus which cultivates in the gravel/sand bed, regular vacuuming of the substrate is neccesary.
Similar Species:	Most other Pleco's have similiar dietary and environmental needs.
Sexing:	Very difficult and no known reliable methods of sexing.
Breeding:	A cave spawner, but no reliable reports of succesful breeding in the aquarium environment.

Author(s): Goldnugget | Photo: Goldnugget | Views: 12882

The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

Poster	Thread

Click here if you'd like to edit or add a caresheet