Golden Nugget Pleco

The Golden Nugget Pleco is a striking black loricariid speckled with golden-yellow spots and bordered fins, traded under the code L018. It is endemic to the warm, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated rapids of the Rio Xingu in Brazil, where it grazes over submerged rocks and driftwood. Adults are territorial toward other bottom-dwellers, so provide caves and clear sightlines; they mix well with mid-water dither fish. Keep the water warm at 26-30 C, soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral, and above all very well oxygenated with strong flow. Despite the pleco reputation, it is not a pure algae-eater: offer a mixed diet of vegetables, quality sinking wafers, and regular protein such as bloodworm. Sensitive to poor water quality and low oxygen, it suits experienced keepers.