Gold Nugget Plecostomus (L-018)
A more recent South American discovery, the Gold Nugget Plecostomus is claimed to have started Exotic Pleco collection and importation craze. A member of the Baryancistrus genus, the Gold Nugget is listed as L-018. Most are now farm-raised specimens. The body is a velvety dark chocolate color with vivid gold dots on the body and the fins, with a bold gold fringe to the dorsal and top tail fin. The Gold Nugget will often hide in caves/driftwood during the day and only comes out for food. This is a good scavenging Plecostomus and will eat most aquarium foods, but be sure to supplement the diet with algae discs or other sinking pellet foods. Growing to about 6 inches in captive length, the Gold Nugget can be kept with most other small to medium Community fish and even medium-sized Cichlids. It is not very social with other plecostomus and should probably be kept as the only Pleco in the tank. Water quality is fairly important and the nitrates should be kept below 20 PPM. When treating for parasitic infestations, it is best to follow the instructions and treat the Gold Nugget as a “smooth skin” fish.
Approximate Arrival Size for Gold Nugget Plecostomus: 2 to 3.5 inches
