A much sort after monster catfish for a large freshwater tropical aquarium is the stunning Gold Spot Pleco. Pleco’s are flat on the underside from head to tail yet on their top side they are sharply rounded from the front tapering down less sharply to the tail.

Gold Spot Plecos are brightly coloured with golden spots on a brownish background.

Plecos are a scaleless fish that feature bony plates that cover their body – this allows for some protection from predators. The plates cover a (generally) depressed body and often large tail fin. Loricariidae most recognisable feature would be their sucker mouths. The downward facing mouth features modified lips which allow the fish to feed, breathe and attach itself to anything using suction.

Common Name(s) : Gold Spot Pleco, Gold Spotted Pleco, L001, L022

Family : Loricariidae

Genus: Pterygoplichthys

Species : Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Origin : South America – Amazon Basin

PH : 6.4 – 8.0

Hardness : Prefer soft / Adaptable from soft to hard

Temperature : 23.0-27.0°C / 73.4-80.6°F

Maximum Size : 30cm / 12″

Lifespan : Up to 15 years

Aggression Level : Low (3/10) They are generally peaceful, can get territorial with those of same species occassionally

Recommended Tank Size : 200 Litres +

Strata : Bottom

TANK SET UP

In the wild Pleco’s hide in driftwood and other dark places by day and come out and hunt for vegetation by night. Therefore it is important to set up the aquarium with plenty of cover for them to hide.

Make no mistake, Plecos will eat cheap bunch plants. Not only that but they commonly uproot bunch plants and you might find your tank set up in tatters after a few hours of your large Pleco roaming around. We sell plant anchors to counter this issue if you are determined to have a well planted tank – wrap two to three of these around each bunch plant to keep your setup looking good.

It is certainly important to choose tough plants such as Amazon Swords, Anubias Plants on Driftwood and Java Fern.

In addition other cover such as caves, rocks or ornaments would definately be an advantage in keeping these fish.

SUITABLE TANK MATES

• Tropical Fish
• Dwarf Cichlids
• African Cichlids
• Some American Cichlids

DIET

Omnivores, young specimens will almost exclusively eat plants, algae wafers, lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, spinach or alike but ensure to anchor any vegetable matter so it will stay at the bottom of an aquarium. Occasionally you might catch them feeding on a dead fish.

Larger specimens also feast on plants, algae wafers, lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, spinach or alike but I find they are also partial to bloodworms or brine shrimp.