Care

One of the most iconic suckermouth catfish in the hobby, the Gold Nugget Plec is a spectacular species from the highly oxygenated, fast-flowing waters of the Xingu river basin in Brazil. Younger fish form groups of several individuals, where they live under flat rocks in warm, shallow stretches of rapids, whereas adults inhabit larger spaces amongst submerged boulders where water is forced past the rocks at speed and is saturated with oxygen. The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and bogwood arranged to create lots of shady caves and crevices. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by a river-tank manifold or powerheads (in addition to the current generated by the filtration). These large bottom-dwellers require warmer than average water temperatures, and will not do well below 25 °C. Unless the aquarium is of vast proportions and provides a plethora of visual barriers, it is best to keep only one per tank, as these fish can be fiercely territorial with conspecifics and other bottom dwellers that occupy the same niche; indeed, it is not unknown for mature specimens to harass and kill other Golden Nuggets and similar species when kept in slightly cramped quarters, so choose tankmates cautiously and observe carefully. Companions should ideally occupy the middle and upper levels, be reasonably peaceful, and be able to thrive in warm, soft water with decent current - some of the medium sized characins or rheophilic cichlids are an excellent choice. Although these fish prefer a diet high in vegetable matter, they will not make any real impact on nuisance algae and must be offered a varied diet (see below). When they are actively grazing, they are actually searching for their natural food source - aufwuchs - which is a type of algae biofilm that contains small invertebrate life. Robust aquarium plants are rarely eaten, but larger fish may uproot them in their ongoing search for food items. Ensure that regular partial water changes are carried out as these catfish produce a fair amount of waste and will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level. Several fish that, have in the past, been assigned different L-numbers, are now considered to be geographical variations of one and the same species of Gold Nugget (Baryancistrus xanthellus): these are L018, L085, L177, and LDA060. The fish sold under these name tags have a combination of features that, with the exception of the similar-looking L081 (another Baryancistrus with very fine spotting, at this time thought to be a different species from the lower rio Xingu), is specific to this group of Gold Nugget Plecs. These characteristics include yellow distal bands on the dorsal and caudal fin and numerous yellow spots over the entire body. L018 is thought to be the juvenile version of L085, both being found along the stretch of water known as Volta Grande do rio Xingu and from the rio Iriri (a major tributary of the rio Xingu). L177 is from further upstream near where the rio Iriri joins the Xingu and this population tends to display much larger yellow spots than the other variants. LDA060 is a form that shows irregular shaped spots or blotches. It is also worth noting that there is quite a large variation in markings from one individual to the next, which further confuses matters. Additionally, the striking yellow fin margins tend to disappear with age in these fish, but they nevertheless remain a very eye-catching species. Recommended for mature aquaria and experienced aquarists only.

Feeding

Offer a variety of different foodstuffs containing a good proportion of vegetable matter. Cucumber, courgette, lettuce, squash etc should all be enthusiastically consumed, and these can be supplemented with sinking wafers/tablets, and the odd treat of meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm and chopped prawns. These fish have a very long digestive tract which is utilised in the breaking down of foods high in vegetable content, so do not offer an excessive amount of meaty foods as this will lead to health problems.

Breeding

The Gold Nugget Plec has been bred in the home aquarium, but it is very challenging and reports are few and far between. This would make an excellent breeding project for the serious hobbyist. Requisite for success with these cave-spawners is well-conditioned, sexually mature fish of both sexes kept in warm (30 °C), soft, acidic water with a high level of oxygenation, and a choice of several relatively snug clay or slate front-opening caves (ideally just a few centimetres longer, wider, and higher than the fish and with only one entrance hole). There are reports of the fish being triggered into spawning with a combination of increased water flow (i.e. turning on an extra powerhead) and frequent partial water changes with water that is a few degrees cooler.