Baryancistrus xanthellus
L018 Gold Nugget Pleco
L018 Gold Nugget Pleco
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Remarks: The L018 gold nugget pleco is a highly coveted species of Loricariid within the aquarium keeping hobby and one look at them shows exactly why this is. With their dark gray to black bodies decorated with contrasting bright gold/yellow seams along the edges of their dorsal and caudal fins along with similarly colored spots, they are considered one of the most beautiful plecos. These seams and spots are thicker and larger when the fish is younger, reducing in size as they grow but gaining even more of these spots. This changes their pattern from a playful polka-dot one to a more elegant speckle or starry pattern. While many would presume their common name to be derived from their gold/yellow pattern, it actually has a much more interesting story.
When the gold mining industry in the native range of the L018 gold nugget pleco shut down, locals turned to these abundant plecos as a source of income. Young fish are collected for the aquarium trade while older fish are collected for food. Capturing these fish is far from an easy endeavor, however, as they live in some of the fastest flowing water in the Amazon and hide among the cracks in boulders where they graze on biofilm and algae as well as capture small insect larvae and crustaceans. These conditions consisting of clear, pristine, warm, oxygen-rich waters full of hiding spots should be replicated in the aquarium if one wants to keep L018 gold nugget plecos. If these conditions are not met, this sensitive species will almost certainly decline in health over time and eventually die.
As this omnivorous catfish mainly feeds on algae and vegetable matter, this should consist of a majority of their diet in captivity. However, they are still omnivores so protein still should be provided. Due to L018 gold nugget plecos actually having softer teeth compared to other species, they prefer softer foods so Repashy gel foods are a great choice for feeding them. It should also be noted their metabolism is rather fast for how long their intestinal tract is so they will need to be fed more frequently than most other Loricariids.
Keeping multiple L018 gold nugget plecos can be challenging as they are a very territorial species, aggressively sparring to the point of injury and sometimes even death if ample space is not provided. A 60 gallon tank can be enough for a single male and a small group of females, but a minimum of 100 gallons is needed if one plans to keep more than one male. This aggression can also be shown to conspecifics so they are best kept as the only pleco in the tank or even in a species only tank. Needless to say, this is not a beginner species of pleco and is more suited for the intermediate to advanced keeper. If well cared for, it is well worth the challenge to keep such a beautiful and unique species.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Brazil
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Brazil
- Max adult size: 9-10"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Moderate
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 78°F - 86°F
- pH range: 5.5 - 7.5
- TDS range: 50 ppm - 150 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee