Gold Nugget Pleco- Questions?

M

Mooch28

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Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
I saw some absolutely beautiful and healty Gold Nugget Plecos today at a local LFS store that looked exactly like this one........

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/baryanci/154_7.php

Anyways, im thinking of getting one in my heavily planted 72 gallon tank. I have some questions though.

1. How big do they grow, and do they grow as fast as comon plecos or much slower? The ones i saw were around 2 inches, how long would it take them to reach 4-5 inches?

2. Do they damage live plants like regular plecos?

3. How effective are they for eating algae. I dont need them for algae as i have ottos, but hey its would be a bonus!

4. Do they require any special diet?

5. Will a ph of 6.6 be harmfull to them? Ive read that they dont tolerate low ph?

6. Do they produce alot of waste like regular plecos?

Thanks all. If all is good, im gona go pick one up tomorrow. Its defenately the best **** looking pleco ive ever seen! :D
 
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First I'll start by sayingg that Gold Nuggets are sometimes very hard to keep, they are considered by some to be fragile, especially when introducing to a new tank. They like a very mature tank with excellent water quality, care must be taken with acclimation and you must pay close attention to the fish before buying. Most are wild collected and very stressed from capture, transport and multiple tank acclimations, some stop eating and a large percentage come from the wild with internal parasites.
Overall health/appearance and whether they are feeding or not are big concerns, observe thoroughly before buying and be prepared to treat for internal parasites if wild caught.

The site you linked to, Planetcatfish, had on that link the profile for this fish, full of most of the info which you seek. Also they have forums specific to Plecos and catfish, who better to inquire of about this fish?
Be advised that there are atleast three variations of this fish each grows larger than the next it seems and have slight differences.
The link you provide should list multiple L#'s, L#'s or Loricariidae numbers are the system by which most of these fish are identified, there are 100's of different Plecos inthe Loricariidae family. Use these L#'s to look up the various types in the Cat-elog.

Size- Anywhere from 10-12 to 18"+.
Growth- variable, I'd estimate 6-12 months depending on diet and health.
Plant damage- any large pleco such as these can damage plants just by moving around if not provided sufficient room.
Algae- Not nearly as good as your Oto's, you'll need to supplement their diet.
Special diet- No, just "their" normal diet.
PH range- They should be just fine with 6.6, as long as its steady and you acclimate slowly and properly.
Waste- All plecos are poop machines :rolleyes:

Bless you for researching before buying :)
Planetcatfish has the profile in your link and can answer any and all questions with their Plec gurus, another excellent site is Plecofanatics.
 
I've also heard alot of people having bad experiences w/ GNs being fragile, so be forwarned. Hopefully your LFS has a guarantee on their livestock. I was extremely lucky when I bought mine. I just walked in to the LFS, and they had 2 left for $16. Bought one on the spot, even though there was no guarantee, the price was just too good. They usually run $50 around here.

1. They do get very large, I've seen pictures of some over a foot, but all wild caught. I've never seen a specimen raised in an aquarium over 7"s. They seem to be very slow growers, even when relatively young. I've had mine for about 6 months and he's grown maybe 1/2 an inch.

2. Never touches my plants, but only have swords at the moment.

3. Ha! As if. I've seen my nugget on the glass all of two times.

4. Omnivore, just like any other plec. My tank gets fed Flakes, Algea Wafers, Shrimp pellets, Frozen and Freeze Dried Bloodworms, and various vegetables. I actually just caught him munching on a huge piece of Acorn Squash I tried for the first time tonight.

5. I never do water tests. Back when I set my tank up, I had it tested and it was a low 6, but I have no idea what it is now.

6. Actually, I don't notice its poop at all. The only time I've ever seen it poop was one of the occasions when I caught him on the glass. The only pleco I actually notice poop is my Gibby, and he poops everywhere. Other than that, I notice my royal's poop when he eats zuchinni, just because its green.

Another note, they can be a bit territorial. I've seen mine bully my clown plecos, but nothing serious. He seems to get along w/ everyone else in the tank. Good luck if you go for it.
 
Ok thanks guys. I think im gona go for it, he just looks too good. As for my tank, its been steady and well established for about 5 months now. Ill try containing him week though in my ten gallon treatment tank with some salt, and very mild "all-around" med, which i use on all my new fish.

Thanks guys!
 
I agree with them being fragile. Here is my response to your questions:

1. I, too, have never seen one over 7 inches, although it is said that they can get larger.
2. Mine leaves the plants alone, although when it gets larger, its movement might disturb the plants.
3. Mine does not eat algae. I does like zuchinni though.
4. I know it eats zuchinni, but I think it also eats carnivore pellets and algae tablets.
5. I think it should be okay.
6. Mine really doesn't.

My gold nugget is very shy, only comes out at night. This is the first one that has actually survived for me. I've had several before this. How long have they been at the LFS? You may want to wait awhile to let the LFS acclimate them to life in captivity, or you may want to set up a quarintine aquarium to make sure it is eating.
 
clayt101 said:
I agree with them being fragile. Here is my response to your questions:

1. I, too, have never seen one over 7 inches, although it is said that they can get larger.
2. Mine leaves the plants alone, although when it gets larger, its movement might disturb the plants.
3. Mine does not eat algae. I does like zuchinni though.
4. I know it eats zuchinni, but I think it also eats carnivore pellets and algae tablets.
5. I think it should be okay.
6. Mine really doesn't.

My gold nugget is very shy, only comes out at night. This is the first one that has actually survived for me. I've had several before this. How long have they been at the LFS? You may want to wait awhile to let the LFS acclimate them to life in captivity, or you may want to set up a quarintine aquarium to make sure it is eating.
Click to expand...


I just brought it home. It was at the LFS aquarium for about a week. That should be a good sign no?
 
If it's eating that is a good sign, the first week it's in your tank usually indicates wether a wild caught plec will make it or not.
 
Key things to look for, is it eating, is its stomach rounded or hollow, condition of fins and overall appearance and how lng its been at the LFS or wherever.
 
Beautiful little guys. Can't ever resist a chance to show off:

3149goldnugget5.jpg
 
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