Photo: Steven Grant

BARYANCISTRUS XANTHELLUS L018

The Golden Nugget Pleco is perhaps number 2 in line of the great symbols of Rio Xingu, Brazil after Hypancistrus zebra. They are found in great numbers throughout the rapids there, with different versions of a pattern consisting of yellow spots and fin seams against pitch black body colouration.

Facts:

Name: Baryancistrus xanthellus (Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira, 2011)

Trade names: Golden Nugget, L18, L81, L85, L177

Origin: Rio Xingu, Rio Iriri, Brazil

Maximum TL: 25 cm / 10”

The Golden Nuggets have several l-numbers attached to them, as they vary in their pattern. Baryancistrus are constantly grazing feeding machines, and it takes quite a bit of food to make them grow and thrive in captivity. They are often undernurished when they finally reach their private owner after some time ‘on the road’, so they can be slightly diffiult to take care of at first. Algae and microorganisms is their main diet, so vegetables should be given along with small frozen foods and high quality dried foods. A good current, clean, warm water and hiding places among rocks and roots must be present. Adults may be slightly territorial, so provide enough space. Breeding reports for Golden Nuggets are known, but rare.

Source :

http://www.loricariidae.no/loricariidae.no/_Baryancistrus_xanthellus_L018.html