Scobinancistrus aureatus – Golden Pleco
Scobinancistrus aureatus was described in 1994 by Burgess. Their common name is Golden Pleco. Before they were officially described, they were given the temporary L014 number. This L number has expired after the official description.
Some scientists have placed this species in the genus Panaque (Panaque aureatus), because of the spoon-shaped teeth that this species has in common with those Armored catfish. However, this classification does not seem to be generally accepted (yet).
Description
Scobinancistrus aureatus can reach a total length of about 30 to 40 centimetres. They are dark brown with gold / yellow dots. Their sucker mouth is yellow and their belly is whitish. The fins show the same dot pattern. Only the dorsal and anal fins are trimmed with a yellow band at the rear.
As long as enough hiding places are offered, the Sunshine Pleco is a fairly peaceful and unproblematic fish that can be kept with a wide variety of fish. At first, this species tends to stay hidden during the daytime, to become active and start foraging for food once dusk sets in. But once acclimatized, however, they often emerge during day time too.
This species can be kept alone or with a number of conspecifics: if a group of these fish is kept, like all Armored catfish, there must be enough space for the fish to set up a small territory. There must also be sufficient hiding places in the form of plants, rocks and driftwood. If not, this generally peaceful fish can become stressed and develop a rather nasty, aggressive disposition towards its own kind as well as other bottom dwellers – and because of its impressive set of teeth, it can inflict serious, sometimes even fatal injuries!
Biotope
South America: Rio Iriri, Rio Xingú (Altamira, Ilha da Fazenda), Pará, Brazil.
Diet
Like all members of the genus Scobinancistrus, the Sunshine Pleco is predominantly carnivorous: a quick glance at the impressive set of teeth will remove any last trace of doubt. In general, once acclimated, Sunshine Plecos are unfussy and easy eaters. In particular, animal food such as pellets, insect larvae (mosquito larvae, bloodworms), tubifex, krill, shrimp, mussel and fish meat will be accepted with enthusiasm, but vegetable food (algae tablets, fresh blanched vegetables, algae) is often also accepted.
In addition, this species sometimes eats the organic layer that forms on submerged surfaces (drift wood, rocks, leaves, aquarium windows), sporadically also eats soft wood, and, like so many (armored) catfish, is not shy about food scraps left by other fishing, cleaning up.
The Aquarium
This large, brightly coloured (what’s in a name) catfish-species prefers a dimly lit tank with a good number of hiding places, either created with plants, driftwood, rocks or artificial (pleco spawning) caves.
To keep several adult specimens of this species, or to keep this species together with other bottom dwellers, a large aquarium is required, at least 150×50 centimeters. This species can be quite territorial towards both conspecifics and other bottom-dwelling fish. In the absence of suitable hiding places, the Sunshine Pleco can behave quite aggressively towards other bottom dwellers. If it is the only bottom dweller in the aquarium, an aquarium of 120×45 centimeters is sufficient. Young specimens can be kept temporarily in smaller aquariums without any problems, as long as there are sufficient hiding places: the minimum size is 80x30cm.
Author
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com
Copyright images
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com