{"product_id":"goldspot-pleco-pterygoplichthys-joselimaianus-goldspot","title":"Goldspot Pleco | Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus 'Goldspot'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Goldspot Pleco is a handsome, large-growing suckermouth catfish peppered with bright gold spots over dark skin. Reaching around 30 cm, it is a hardy, showy grazer with real presence, but its adult size means it needs a roomy, well-filtered tank — a rewarding pleco for keepers with the space to do it justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Araguaia–Tocantins river system in Brazil, South America, where it lives in flowing, well-oxygenated rivers, clinging to submerged wood and rock. It is the L001 \/ L022 pleco of the hobby, a member of the large sailfin (Pterygoplichthys) group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA broad, armoured body and large suckermouth, dark brown to near-black and covered in a dense scatter of golden-yellow spots, topped by a tall, impressive sailfin dorsal. Juveniles are especially vivid; the pattern softens a little with age. Adults reach roughly 30 cm, occasionally more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward other fish and easy to mix in a community, but it becomes territorial toward other plecos and bottom-dwellers as it matures. Given its size and appetite, it is best kept singly in a large tank with robust tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae and rasps on wood but needs a varied diet. Feed quality sinking algae wafers and pellets, plenty of vegetables such as courgette, cucumber and blanched greens, and occasional protein foods. Real driftwood is important for its digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank of at least 375 litres with strong filtration, brisk, well-oxygenated flow, driftwood and open grazing surfaces. It is hardy but a heavy waste producer, so robust filtration and regular water changes are essential. Its adult bulk, not its hardiness, is the main challenge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot practical in the home aquarium. Like other large sailfin plecos, it is a cave- and burrow-spawner in the wild, digging tunnels in riverbanks that cannot be replicated in a tank; captive breeding is essentially limited to commercial ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePterygoplichthys joselimaianus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGoldspot Pleco (L001 \/ L022)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAraguaia–Tocantins basin, Brazil, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–35 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial to other plecos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e375 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (algae, wood, vegetables, some protein)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–29 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to medium-hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, well-filtered aquariums with driftwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may rasp or dislodge soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, peaceful medium-to-large fish such as larger tetras and barbs, rainbowfish, peaceful cichlids (severums, geophagus), gouramis and larger livebearers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther plecos and territorial bottom-dwellers it will squabble with, very small delicate fish, and aggressive fish that will harass it. Not suited to small community tanks once grown.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232800751907,"sku":"AA1606","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232800784675,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232800817443,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351965581603,"sku":null,"price":64.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Golspot_Pleco_90ecce81-6f1b-4426-be3f-1ea8a063c571.jpg?v=1781699155","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/goldspot-pleco-pterygoplichthys-joselimaianus-goldspot","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}