Baryancistrus

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Baryancistrus

Baryancistrus L-18

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Loricariidae
Genus:	Baryancistrus

Species

B. demantoides
B. longipinnis
B. niveatus
Includes undescribed L-numbers

Baryancistrus is a genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish. They inhabit regions of the Amazon river in countries such as Brazil and Venezuela.

The species of this genus are mainly herbivores and detritivores, but may take other foods too. Most have probably not been bred in captivity. It is difficult to sex these fish, including adult specimen. These fish are mainly nocturnal, but will also emerge from their hiding places during the day, after some time getting accustomed to the aquarium. They will benefit from root or driftwood to gnaw on, and plenty of hiding places.

[edit] Gold Nugget plecs

Baryancistrus includes the catfish often referred to as Golden nuggets. They occur naturally in the Xingu River. They grow slowly, and can reach lengths of up to 20 cm. They are popular aquarium fish, though they demand a high water quality. The ideal temperature is 24 - 28 °C, and the pH should be between 6,5 - 7,4.

There are three types of Gold Nuggets in the aquarium trade; L-018 (also known as L-085), L-081 and L-177. Whether these are separate species, or subspecies of a single one, has not yet been determined. The Golden nuggets are described with L-numbers in wait of a proper scientific classification.

L-081 has small dots.
L-018/L-085 has medium-sized dots.
L-177 has large dots.

[edit] List of Baryancistrus sp. L-numbers

Though there are many types of fish described as Baryancistrus, there are many that yet to be given a true scientific designation, and are only referred to under the L number system, including the Gold Nuggets. Here is a list of Baryancistrus by L-number designation. The common name and scientific name are included when available, though some of these fish are only commonly referred to by their L-number. For those fish without a scientific name, they are assumed to be Baryancistrus sp.

L-number(s) or LDA	Common name(s)	Scientific name
L003	Kieser pleco
L018, L085	Gold Nugget pleco
L019
L026		Baryancistrus niveatus
L047	Magnum pleco, Mango pleco
L057
L081	Gold Nugget pleco
L084
L115, L248	Mega snowball pleco
L142, LDA33	Big White Spot pleco
L177	Iriri Gold Nugget pleco
L200*		Baryancistrus demantoides
L219
L274
L319
L323
L324
L364
L384
LDA60