Baryancistrus xanthellus • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog • PlanetCatfish

Juvenile with Rio Rio Xingu in background
L177
Ventral view (female)
Close-up of mouth
Dorsal view
L018 above, L177 below
Lateral view
L177
Underwater in Rio Xingu habitat
Habitat: Rio Xingu
Female
Cachoeira Cutuvelo on the Rio Xingu
Habitat: Shallow, fast-flowing Rio Xingu
Habitat: Underwater
Habitat: above water
On their way to market
Adult male
Adult female
Adults prepared for eating
Female carrying eggs
Stomach and intestine
LDA060
Feeding on red pepper
L177
L177
L177 sub adult

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Baryancistrus xanthellus** Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira , 2011
Common Name(s)	Gold Nugget Pleco, L018, L085, L177, LDA060
Type Locality	Brazil, Pará, Senador José Porfírio, rio Xingu in the vicinity of the cachoeira Buraco do Inferno, 03º27'07''S 51º41'53''W
Pronunciation	bah ree ann siss truss
Etymology	Greek, barys = heavy + Greek, agkistron = hook - Essentially "Heavy Ancistrus". From the Greek xanthellus, yellow, in allusion to the bright color of the specimens.
Species Information
Size	355mm (14") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	With the exception of L081 (not mentioned in the description of B. xanthellus), the combination of yellow markings on the dorsal and caudal fin and numerous yellow spots on the body is specific to this species. L177 is a variety with larger spots more obvious in younger specimens and LDA060 is a variety with ill formed spots or flakes.
Sexing	Dimorphism is difficult to notice unless the fish are at full breeding size. Males have a flatter, more levelled slope to their foreheads and are slightly wider about the head. Females have a more rounded forehead and are slightly plumper at the mid body when in spawning condition. There is no noticeable difference in odontodal growth in either gender.
Habitat Information
Distribution	This species has been recorded from the area called Volta Grande do rio Xingu, an area immediately above Belo Monte falls, and from rio Iriri, the larger tributary of rio Xingu. L177 is from further upstream near the where the Rio Iriri joins the Xingu. Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu , Lower Xingu (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu , Iriri (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there)
pH	6.4 - 7.6
Temperature	25.0-30.0°C or 77-86°F (Show others within this range)
Other Parameters	Clear with a noticeable current.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	These fish are grazers, but not in the sense that they eat only vegetation. They actually sift and chew at the film of organic matter on hard surfaces in search of higher protein foods. In the wild this would constitute a variety of foods from small insect larvae and crustaceans to other animals eggs and possibly even recently dead animals. With this in mind, frozen foods such as bloodworm and blackworm should be offered along with frozen prawns. Algae and plants are avoided, but cucumber and courgette appear on the accepted menu. Accepted food morsel size changes with age in all of these fish. Best results are obtained by offer these foods in a paste. The very long intestine of these fishes indicates a biology adapted to breaking down food high in vegetable content.
Furniture	Bogwood and rock caves. Plants are up to you but won't be molested by the fish.
Compatibility	Gold nuggets are territorial to other bottom dwellers and downright vicious to other gold nuggets. This stems from a desire to find and defend the best spawning cave, so take this into account if you plan to introduce these fish into a catfish tank. They do well in a community environment that fits their other requirements. Be careful with adult fish, they can kill each other in a crowded space.
Suggested Tankmates	Although strong currents are needed for breeding attempts, only good water quality and a high temperature are required for this fishes successful onward maintenance. Thus, characins are good biotope fish but you could look further afield at discus and gouramis. Most other cichlids tend to over compete for food with these fish, so be careful especially when introducing new gold nuggets.
Breeding	Well documented breeding in captivity has been accomplished once. The fishes had a very specialised diet of blended meat, fish and vegetables and were kept in a large aquarium with lots of current, high DO and spawned at 30°C. The free swimming fry were fed the same food to raise them.
Further Information
References	Ann. Wien. Mus. Naturges.v. 1 (no. 1) - pp25
Registered Keepers	(1) MatsP, (2) synoguy, (3) xingumike, (4) Cory-Diddi (p: 2), (5) dewitt_discus, (6) Kristofer, (7) Bengt F (k: 2), (8) Barbie (k: 2), (9) spencerdeluxe, (10) Trident2004, (11) Lornek8 (p: 2), (12) Persephone, (13) vriesea, who also notes: "I have had problems keeping. Had 5 over the past year, now have only one, but he's been around since the beginning. Died in March", (14) drgold (p: 2, k: 2), (15) guyvw, (16) DarkAtlas (p: 2), (17) azfisher (k: 4), (18) petri, (19) Blue, (20) henkhugo, (21) FuglyDragon, who also notes: "Difficult to acclimitise, definately prefers fast flowing water", (22) luis, (23) Zigismund (k: 2), who also notes: " They are small just 5-6 cm yet. A little shy and not so forward as the ancistrus, and hence not as fat and fast growing.. The second fish I bought died after 5 days 450kr (65$) down the drain. :-( But the new one is thriving, on its own speed. :-)", (24) Edris, (25) Slimlim, (26) Brotox (p: 4), (27) Darren C, (28) Freakdaddy, (29) humle, (30) k1ttyme0w, (31) barksten, (32) dracoz, (33) prutsprogrammeur (k: 6), (34) Plecofanatic1989, (35) Poshpleco (p: 2), (36) MONG, (37) cmstwc, (38) layzmob, (39) Walter, (40) rosemarydawn, (41) chillired (p: 2), (42) magnar30, (43) goodmike (k: 4), (44) trini_100 (p: 3), (45) storch31 (p: 2), (46) alexmuchtar, (47) simonas, (48) scouse_andy, (49) valkat, (50) loloveto, (51) ilovemyplecs, (52) LUISGOREY (p: 2), (53) ChristosB (k: 3), (54) Troender (k: 2), (55) Hammerhead, who also notes: "Rarely seen during the day.", (56) jasonplec1, (57) Cdn Glenwood, (58) pisces, (59) NHL, (60) midnightrider, (61) Lord_Dovii, (62) ayshea, (63) kfreedman, (64) wesman (p: 2), (65) Dinyar, (66) lewishan, (67) SoCalDiscus (p: 2), (68) TheSpuDGuN, (69) miravns, (70) elbowjuice, (71) worldwide73, (72) jac (k: 2), who also notes: "L81, starting a breeding attempt this summer.", (73) plumbob3VRK6J5, (74) Lubbe, (75) PGR (k: 2), (76) Jeff12, (77) River Dog, (78) eliy7 (p: 2), (79) zhallam, (80) soltarii007, (81) 78bill, (82) Hobby, (83) uyaffe, (84) fleahound (k: 2), (85) junaid, (86) wiseoldowl, (87) jgvenn (k: 2), (88) Doug205 (p: 2), (89) pureplecs (k: 2), (90) Thomas Lagesen, (91) dragonfish, (92) munki (p: 2), (93) tvwav, (94) lighting (p: 2), (95) novice, (96) bcb, (97) Melchior, (98) thejudgement, (99) cichlidguy (k: 3), (100) ElTofi (p: 2, k: 5), who also notes: "removed into a 375 liters. Objective : breeding on the base of Mr. Leuenberger notes and tips", (101) pmbooper, who also notes: "6 inch gold nugget in 65 gal.", (102) smsjazz81, (103) José Maria, (104) Ruudjjuhh, (105) sunfish, (106) Haavard Stoere (k: 15), (107) upc239 (k: 2), who also notes: "Hangs upside down on wood most of time. Likes Zuchinni.", (108) AI27, (109) PlecoCrazy (k: 4), (110) andy75, (111) Jackie, (112) royaldragoness (p: 2, k: 2), (113) Juha, (114) Rohan Richardson (p: 4), (115) Mike C, (116) wilpleco, (117) Krib, (118) crazylegs (p: 2), (119) anestesia (p: 2), (120) Altifrons, (121) Bacce, (122) thicis, (123) KAROBA (k: 2), (124) TheSmurfinator, (125) catfishmike, (126) dr_philatelist, (127) justin_cu (p: 2), (128) ewurm, (129) drd, (130) Suckermouth, (131) judeblackburn, (132) cakky, (133) elmar, (134) eelkie, (135) Gtdaddy3 (k: 2), (136) Neri2495, (137) Ullopincrate, (138) Bjørn, (139) fuzzytigerbird, (140) EHEIM~ADDICT (p: 2), (141) sheldon, (142) duequattro, (143) sterlingtjones, (144) puresp (k: 2), (145) oli (k: 4), (146) jessonthenet, who also notes: "Did not have much luck with this species. Lasted a matter of weeks as refused to eat. Found this tricky but beautiful looking fish which is what made me buy it. I would try again with this species but would be worried about the finicky eating habits. Great for tanks with algae problems. Don't think I had enough natural algae in the tank and it would not touch wafers.", (147) Nanu156, (148) Derzel, (149) kouen, (150) electrophyste, (151) Kenny Tay, (152) salvador60, (153) ChanggyChinggy (p: 2), (154) barry555 (p: 2), (155) stensson (k: 3), (156) smitty (p: 4, k: 4), who also notes: "Officially confirmed no longer in tank. Believe to have been eaten by Vieja Maculicauda.", "Had not seen since 4/16/2011. Moved ev", "Loss due to hurricane Irene", (157) Buc_Nasty (p: 2), (158) bulldogsimon, (159) rhibear, (160) genuinex, (161) tinamoubird (p: 2), (162) bcmitchell (p: 2, k: 2), (163) tspaceace68, (164) cjhoogma (k: 5), (165) Rabbit (p: 3, k: 8), (166) NC24, (167) alasia, (168) Matt30 (k: 2), (169) Steen (k: 3), (170) tony57 (k: 4), (171) Hansen (k: 3), (172) Donald (k: 2), (173) TerryCherry, (174) Acanthicus, (175) plecomanpat (p: 3, k: 6), (176) hankinswood, (177) Profiel310, (178) idudi, (179) scorpia9100, (180) Onatopa, (181) zoom, (182) arapaimag, (183) JamieH, (184) firefish11, who also notes: "Easily one of the prettiest plecos out there. Seems to be more nocturnal then some other plecos though.", (185) 2wheelsx2, who also notes: "Still quarantining in 46 bow. Didn't make quarantine.", (186) FFTRIP, (187) JamesStuddart, (188) Ecrevince (k: 2), (189) CUPfishhead (k: 6), (190) Bubbles2112, (191) tomk2u, (192) Bary7, (193) cdc069, (194) elcucuu, (195) naboo, (196) Hapahound1971, (197) kiwiplymouth, (198) krazyGeoff, (199) 2poc, (200) Max Chumachenko (k: 20), (201) Terrycherry, (202) snike, (203) john82, (204) fester, (205) den bruine, (206) Copp81, (207) mrfishydude, (208) Mcjlance, (209) nessaja, (210) OlePaulsen (k: 6), who also notes: "High temperature, good circulation and veggie food and they are doing fine", (211) dudiel, (212) janne dahle (k: 2), (213) chriscarnivorous, (214) FrankvdB (p: 2), (215) browny85, (216) plecolee, (217) Brisch, (218) HERVE. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species. Add this species to your "my cats" page.
Breeding Reports	None.
More Resources	- CotM 2000 December - Shane's World Catfishology The yellow seamed “Golden Nugget” – a problem pleco? - Search Planet Catfish for more on Baryancistrus xanthellus - BBcode (for use in linking to this page from forum posts) - Look up Baryancistrus xanthellus on AquaticRepublic.com - Look up Baryancistrus xanthellus on Fishbase, I.T.I.S. or ispecies search. - URL (for use in linking to the species from anywhere on the web)
Hits	158488 hits.
Last Update	2011 Jul 03 13:34 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Baryancistrus xanthellus Rapp Py-Daniel, Zuanon & Ribeiro de Oliveira , 2011

Gold Nugget Pleco, L018, L085, L177, LDA060

Brazil, Pará, Senador José Porfírio, rio Xingu in the vicinity of the cachoeira Buraco do Inferno, 03º27'07''S 51º41'53''W

Pronunciation

bah ree ann siss truss

Etymology

Greek, barys = heavy + Greek, agkistron = hook - Essentially "Heavy Ancistrus". From the Greek xanthellus, yellow, in allusion to the bright color of the specimens.

Species Information

Size

355mm (14") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

With the exception of L081 (not mentioned in the description of B. xanthellus), the combination of yellow markings on the dorsal and caudal fin and numerous yellow spots on the body is specific to this species. L177 is a variety with larger spots more obvious in younger specimens and LDA060 is a variety with ill formed spots or flakes.

Sexing

Dimorphism is difficult to notice unless the fish are at full breeding size. Males have a flatter, more levelled slope to their foreheads and are slightly wider about the head. Females have a more rounded forehead and are slightly plumper at the mid body when in spawning condition. There is no noticeable difference in odontodal growth in either gender.

Habitat Information

Distribution

This species has been recorded from the area called Volta Grande do rio Xingu, an area immediately above Belo Monte falls, and from rio Iriri, the larger tributary of rio Xingu. L177 is from further upstream near the where the Rio Iriri joins the Xingu.
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu Show it on a map

, Lower Xingu Show it on a map

(hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Xingu Show it on a map

, Iriri

(hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there)

6.4 - 7.6

Temperature

25.0-30.0°C or 77-86°F (Show others within this range)

Other Parameters

Clear with a noticeable current.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

These fish are grazers, but not in the sense that they eat only vegetation. They actually sift and chew at the film of organic matter on hard surfaces in search of higher protein foods. In the wild this would constitute a variety of foods from small insect larvae and crustaceans to other animals eggs and possibly even recently dead animals. With this in mind, frozen foods such as bloodworm and blackworm should be offered along with frozen prawns. Algae and plants are avoided, but cucumber and courgette appear on the accepted menu. Accepted food morsel size changes with age in all of these fish. Best results are obtained by offer these foods in a paste. The very long intestine of these fishes indicates a biology adapted to breaking down food high in vegetable content.

Furniture

Bogwood and rock caves. Plants are up to you but won't be molested by the fish.

Compatibility

Gold nuggets are territorial to other bottom dwellers and downright vicious to other gold nuggets. This stems from a desire to find and defend the best spawning cave, so take this into account if you plan to introduce these fish into a catfish tank. They do well in a community environment that fits their other requirements. Be careful with adult fish, they can kill each other in a crowded space.

Suggested Tankmates

Although strong currents are needed for breeding attempts, only good water quality and a high temperature are required for this fishes successful onward maintenance. Thus, characins are good biotope fish but you could look further afield at discus and gouramis. Most other cichlids tend to over compete for food with these fish, so be careful especially when introducing new gold nuggets.

Breeding

Well documented breeding in captivity has been accomplished once. The fishes had a very specialised diet of blended meat, fish and vegetables and were kept in a large aquarium with lots of current, high DO and spawned at 30°C. The free swimming fry were fed the same food to raise them.

Further Information

References

Ann. Wien. Mus. Naturges.v. 1 (no. 1) - pp25

Registered Keepers

(1) MatsP, (2) synoguy, (3) xingumike, (4) Cory-Diddi (p: 2), (5) dewitt_discus, (6) Kristofer, (7) Bengt F (k: 2), (8) Barbie (k: 2), (9) spencerdeluxe, (10) Trident2004, (11) Lornek8 (p: 2), (12) Persephone, (13) vriesea, who also notes: "I have had problems keeping. Had 5 over the past year, now have only one, but he's been around since the beginning. Died in March", (14) drgold (p: 2, k: 2), (15) guyvw, (16) DarkAtlas (p: 2), (17) azfisher (k: 4), (18) petri, (19) Blue, (20) henkhugo, (21) FuglyDragon, who also notes: "Difficult to acclimitise, definately prefers fast flowing water", (22) luis, (23) Zigismund (k: 2), who also notes: " They are small just 5-6 cm yet. A little shy and not so forward as the ancistrus, and hence not as fat and fast growing.. The second fish I bought died after 5 days 450kr (65$) down the drain. :-( But the new one is thriving, on its own speed. :-)", (24) Edris, (25) Slimlim, (26) Brotox (p: 4), (27) Darren C, (28) Freakdaddy, (29) humle, (30) k1ttyme0w, (31) barksten, (32) dracoz, (33) prutsprogrammeur (k: 6), (34) Plecofanatic1989, (35) Poshpleco (p: 2), (36) MONG, (37) cmstwc, (38) layzmob, (39) Walter, (40) rosemarydawn, (41) chillired (p: 2), (42) magnar30, (43) goodmike (k: 4), (44) trini_100 (p: 3), (45) storch31 (p: 2), (46) alexmuchtar, (47) simonas, (48) scouse_andy, (49) valkat, (50) loloveto, (51) ilovemyplecs, (52) LUISGOREY (p: 2), (53) ChristosB (k: 3), (54) Troender (k: 2), (55) Hammerhead, who also notes: "Rarely seen during the day.", (56) jasonplec1, (57) Cdn Glenwood, (58) pisces, (59) NHL, (60) midnightrider, (61) Lord_Dovii, (62) ayshea, (63) kfreedman, (64) wesman (p: 2), (65) Dinyar, (66) lewishan, (67) SoCalDiscus (p: 2), (68) TheSpuDGuN, (69) miravns, (70) elbowjuice, (71) worldwide73, (72) jac (k: 2), who also notes: "L81, starting a breeding attempt this summer.", (73) plumbob3VRK6J5, (74) Lubbe, (75) PGR (k: 2), (76) Jeff12, (77) River Dog, (78) eliy7 (p: 2), (79) zhallam, (80) soltarii007, (81) 78bill, (82) Hobby, (83) uyaffe, (84) fleahound (k: 2), (85) junaid, (86) wiseoldowl, (87) jgvenn (k: 2), (88) Doug205 (p: 2), (89) pureplecs (k: 2), (90) Thomas Lagesen, (91) dragonfish, (92) munki (p: 2), (93) tvwav, (94) lighting (p: 2), (95) novice, (96) bcb, (97) Melchior, (98) thejudgement, (99) cichlidguy (k: 3), (100) ElTofi (p: 2, k: 5), who also notes: "removed into a 375 liters. Objective : breeding on the base of Mr. Leuenberger notes and tips", (101) pmbooper, who also notes: "6 inch gold nugget in 65 gal.", (102) smsjazz81, (103) José Maria, (104) Ruudjjuhh, (105) sunfish, (106) Haavard Stoere (k: 15), (107) upc239 (k: 2), who also notes: "Hangs upside down on wood most of time. Likes Zuchinni.", (108) AI27, (109) PlecoCrazy (k: 4), (110) andy75, (111) Jackie, (112) royaldragoness (p: 2, k: 2), (113) Juha, (114) Rohan Richardson (p: 4), (115) Mike C, (116) wilpleco, (117) Krib, (118) crazylegs (p: 2), (119) anestesia (p: 2), (120) Altifrons, (121) Bacce, (122) thicis, (123) KAROBA (k: 2), (124) TheSmurfinator, (125) catfishmike, (126) dr_philatelist, (127) justin_cu (p: 2), (128) ewurm, (129) drd, (130) Suckermouth, (131) judeblackburn, (132) cakky, (133) elmar, (134) eelkie, (135) Gtdaddy3 (k: 2), (136) Neri2495, (137) Ullopincrate, (138) Bjørn, (139) fuzzytigerbird, (140) EHEIM~ADDICT (p: 2), (141) sheldon, (142) duequattro, (143) sterlingtjones, (144) puresp (k: 2), (145) oli (k: 4), (146) jessonthenet, who also notes: "Did not have much luck with this species. Lasted a matter of weeks as refused to eat. Found this tricky but beautiful looking fish which is what made me buy it. I would try again with this species but would be worried about the finicky eating habits. Great for tanks with algae problems. Don't think I had enough natural algae in the tank and it would not touch wafers.", (147) Nanu156, (148) Derzel, (149) kouen, (150) electrophyste, (151) Kenny Tay, (152) salvador60, (153) ChanggyChinggy (p: 2), (154) barry555 (p: 2), (155) stensson (k: 3), (156) smitty (p: 4, k: 4), who also notes: "Officially confirmed no longer in tank. Believe to have been eaten by Vieja Maculicauda.", "Had not seen since 4/16/2011. Moved ev", "Loss due to hurricane Irene", (157) Buc_Nasty (p: 2), (158) bulldogsimon, (159) rhibear, (160) genuinex, (161) tinamoubird (p: 2), (162) bcmitchell (p: 2, k: 2), (163) tspaceace68, (164) cjhoogma (k: 5), (165) Rabbit (p: 3, k: 8), (166) NC24, (167) alasia, (168) Matt30 (k: 2), (169) Steen (k: 3), (170) tony57 (k: 4), (171) Hansen (k: 3), (172) Donald (k: 2), (173) TerryCherry, (174) Acanthicus, (175) plecomanpat (p: 3, k: 6), (176) hankinswood, (177) Profiel310, (178) idudi, (179) scorpia9100, (180) Onatopa, (181) zoom, (182) arapaimag, (183) JamieH, (184) firefish11, who also notes: "Easily one of the prettiest plecos out there. Seems to be more nocturnal then some other plecos though.", (185) 2wheelsx2, who also notes: "Still quarantining in 46 bow. Didn't make quarantine.", (186) FFTRIP, (187) JamesStuddart, (188) Ecrevince (k: 2), (189) CUPfishhead (k: 6), (190) Bubbles2112, (191) tomk2u, (192) Bary7, (193) cdc069, (194) elcucuu, (195) naboo, (196) Hapahound1971, (197) kiwiplymouth, (198) krazyGeoff, (199) 2poc, (200) Max Chumachenko (k: 20), (201) Terrycherry, (202) snike, (203) john82, (204) fester, (205) den bruine, (206) Copp81, (207) mrfishydude, (208) Mcjlance, (209) nessaja, (210) OlePaulsen (k: 6), who also notes: "High temperature, good circulation and veggie food and they are doing fine", (211) dudiel, (212) janne dahle (k: 2), (213) chriscarnivorous, (214) FrankvdB (p: 2), (215) browny85, (216) plecolee, (217) Brisch, (218) HERVE.

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Add this species to your My Cats species list

Add this species to your "my cats" page.

Breeding Reports

None.

More Resources

- CotM

2000

December

- Shane's World

Catfishology

The yellow seamed “Golden Nugget” – a problem pleco?

- Search Planet Catfish for more on Baryancistrus xanthellus
Link

- BBcode (for use in linking to this page from forum posts)
Look up AquaticRepublic.com

- Look up Baryancistrus xanthellus on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up Fishbase

- Look up Baryancistrus xanthellus on Fishbase, I.T.I.S. or ispecies search.
Link

- URL (for use in linking to the species from anywhere on the web)

Hits

158488 hits.

Last Update

2011 Jul 03 13:34 (species record created: 2001 Apr 19 00:00)

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