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Fast
facts on Gold Nugget Pleco
Biotope:
Amazon Basin (South America) to my knowledge only found at Rio Xingω.
From a taxonomic point of view Gold Nuggets are still waiting for a
"correct" classification. According to Dr. David Sands
(which I E-mailed on this matter) they are somewhere between
Parancistrus / Pseudancistrus and Hemiancistrus. They're identified
by L-number L-85.
Tank:
Actual size is not that important provided that each speciment has
0.3-0.5 square meters of territory. I'm keeping mine in a 360 lt
tank (about 100 US gals). Give them plenty of hiding places and a
subdued light (I'm on my way to try a "blue actinic" lamp)
Water
chemistry:
Must admit I keep mine (4 wild caught individuals) in alkaline water
(refer to Lake Malawi to figure out water chemistry) even though,
most probably this is not the best environment for this species.
Spawning:
Very difficult. The only report I have found is in the book
"Loriicaridae: The trick of the trade" by Larry Vines,
containing among others suggestions to attemp to spawn these
beatiful catfishes
Food:
Despite the fact that those fishes are believed to be vegetarians
they DO need animal matter in their diet. Feed them sinking tablets
and other meat "stuff" - they will like it!
Tank
Mates:
I keep mine with cichlids (Malawians) and they do well but this is
NOT an environment suitable for spawning them (I should perhpas try
it in a species specific tank). Other companions could possibly be
characins, poecilids, dwarf cichlids, callichtids (corydoras) but I
have no direct experience with any of the afore mentioned genera.
L-Number:
The taxonomy of those fishes is far more complex (unbelievable as it
seems) than that of cichlids! There is an awful lot of newly
discovered species, usually by "local" collectors and / or
traders with little, if any, idea about the real point of
collection. To avoid a greater confusion and more errors a decision
has been taken to tag each fish (genus / species) by means of an
increasing number. L stays for loricariids hence L-number.
Oddities:
I know this is not a great pic but you should keep in mind that this
fish is a shy, secretive animal and taking pics of it is anything
but easy. See
next page for some magnificent
photos of this species |
