Care and Compatibility of Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum


Introduction

Sturisoma aureum, commonly known as the Goldhead Plecostomus, is a species of bottom-dwelling fish belonging to the Loricariidae family. It is native to South America, specifically the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. This fish is known for its elongated body shape and distinctive golden head coloration.

Behavior

Sturisoma aureum is a peaceful and shy fish that tends to spend most of its time foraging for food at the bottom of the aquarium. They are primarily nocturnal and can be observed exploring among rocks and vegetation in search of leftover food and algae. They prefer to have shelters and hiding spots in the aquarium to feel secure.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Sturisoma aureum is subtle and generally not easily distinguishable. However, during the breeding season, males may display territorial behaviors and build shelters to attract females.

Reproduction

Breeding Sturisoma aureum in captivity can be challenging. To stimulate breeding, it is recommended to provide them with caves or clay tubes where they can deposit their eggs. The female is usually responsible for caring and protecting the eggs while the male defends the surrounding territory. Maintaining proper water quality and providing nutritious food can promote successful reproduction.

Aquarium Conditions

Sturisoma aureum is a peaceful fish that requires a well-planted aquarium with plenty of space to swim and explore. It prefers a sandy substrate and areas with rocks, driftwood, and dense plants that provide hiding spots and resting areas. Maintaining good water quality and gentle water flow is important.

Feeding

Sturisoma aureum is a herbivorous fish that primarily feeds on algae and plant matter. In the aquarium, they can be offered specific vegetable-based foods for bottom-dwelling fish, such as algae wafers or spirulina pellets. They also accept fresh vegetables like cucumber and zucchini. It is important to provide them with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs and avoids deficiencies.

Complexity

Caring for Sturisoma aureum is moderately easy. They are quiet and tolerant fish that can adapt to a variety of water conditions. They require a varied diet including both vegetable and protein-rich foods, and can be fed sinking pellets and fresh foods.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Sturisoma aureum (Golden Royal Pleco) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Sturisoma aureum (Golden Royal Pleco) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Golden Royal Pleco with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 131 species compatible with the Sturisoma aureum (Golden Royal Pleco) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (131)

Compatible (76 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Common carp - Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Celestial eye goldfish - Carassius auratus V

Celestial eye goldfish

Carassius auratus V

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Jewel Cichlid - Hemichromis lifalili

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis lifalili

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Tetraodon Nigroviridis - Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Convict Cichlid - Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Hatchet Fish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Hatchet Fish

Thoracocharax stellatus

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Bala Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Commando Cichlid - Nimbochromis venustus

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Red Terror Fish - Mesoheros festae

Red Terror Fish

Mesoheros festae

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Archerfish - Toxotes jaculatrix

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Mije Fish - Leporinus fasciatus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Jaguar Cichlid - Parachromis managuensis

Jaguar Cichlid

Parachromis managuensis

Butterfly Peacock Bass - Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Butterfly Peacock Bass

Pez Cachama - Piaractus brachypomus

Pez Cachama

Piaractus brachypomus

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Los peces agresivos y/o territoriales pueden convivir con peces protegidos por una coraza, ya que no pueden comérselos por su dura piel ni tampoco agredirlos sin salir heridos ellos mismos.


Luwala Cichlid - Pseudotropheus Acei

Luwala Cichlid

Pseudotropheus Acei

Los peces territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con peces protegidos con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Fire Fish Dragon Blood - Aulonocara Firefish

Fire Fish Dragon Blood

Aulonocara Firefish

Similar Sizes (10 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

With Reservation (9 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Rio Grande cichlid - Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Rio Grande cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Green Terror - Andinoacara rivulatus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Midas king fish - Amphilophus citrinellus

Midas king fish

Amphilophus citrinellus

Flowerhorn cichlid - Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Melanochromis auratus - Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead - Channa aurantimaculata

Myanmar Rainbow Snakehead

Channa aurantimaculata

Nile Tilapia - Oreochromis niloticus

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Showdown over territory (13 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Wasp Goby - Brachygobius Xanthozona

Wasp Goby

Brachygobius Xanthozona

Bicolor Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Bicolor Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Neon Spot fish - Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Neon Spot fish

Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

It can be territorial with fish that occupy the bottom of the aquarium or by food struggles.


Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Como a estos peces les gusta estar refugiados en diferentes ubicaciones del acuario ya sean en plantas, troncos, rocas etc, si otro pez intenta entrar donde está escondido podrían haber confrontaciones por ese refugio.


Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Los peces territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con peces protegidos con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Red-tailed Black Shark - Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Considerable size difference (22 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Caridina Shrimp - Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Compatible if space is enough (1 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum
  • Ph: 6.6 - 7.6
  • Temperature (c°): 23 - 28
  • Measures: 15 cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    23 Liters - 6 Gallons
  • Behavior: Likes to take refuge, Peaceful
  • Morphology: Cuirass or Carapace
  • Size: Medium
  • Swimming area: Aquarium background
  • Water Type: Sweet water