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Anyone know of how to identify which gold nugget is which? I have a juvenile that was listed at the LFS as an L81, but I want to confirm...as this species is listed as the most fragile of the three. I'd really like for this little guy to suceed in my tank. This fish was at the LFS for more then a week, and seems very healthy and active, but if this is the more fragile of the species I would think this would be unlikely.



Ian

The size of the spots should identify which one it is.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... icle_id=93

Thanks, looks like possibly an L018, as he's a much darker fish with brigher spots and seams....although as was said, they tend to color depending on the background. I'll have to take the computer downstairs and do some direct comparisons.


Ian

I wonder why you feel it is unlikely that just because your gold nugget is supposed to be "the most delicate" you should feel that it's doing well seems unlikely? None of them are especially hard to keep. If you have a healthy tank, the real question in my mind is why shouldn't it do well for you?
I don't find any variety of gold nugget to be an especially difficult fish to keep well.

I personally don't believe that Gold Nuggets are particularly sensitive - they may not tolerate sudden changes well, but once acclimatised they seem to do quite well - they are a bit difficult to feed as they don't compete well with more outgoing and agressive feeders, but other than that, I don't consider them "difficult" or "delicate".

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Mats

Good news for me then! I've just read many articles saying the fish is demanding to keep, and wild caught specimens rarely survive in captivity to adulthood. If this has changed then all the better. I did notice that out of a shipment of about 20 6" gold nuggets the LFS received only three survived. Although the juveniles (of which I purchased) seemed to be fairing much better, with about a 10% die off in the first week, and the rest surviving two weeks. The high price was likely the reason they stayed there so long. This LFS is usually pretty good for keeping livestock...and have some beautiful show tanks. However the water here if VERY hard and has a VERY high PH. This my be part of the problem. This little guy seems to be doing well, I haven't seem him eat, but the trail of poo is comming from somewhere! ;)

Ian