here's a question for y'all...

At the LFS that I go to, they have a "rubber pleco," a "gold Nugget pleco," and a "royal pleco." are these okay for goldfish? they grow to a small size (largest is 8", smallest [nugget] is 5"). I don' tknow if these guys eat slime coats or not...

I'd definately believe the rubber pleco to be safe, im assuming its 'Rubbernose' but Ive seen the gold nugget ones (supposively) at a lfs around here, and those things were as long as my arm...and as thick! Id steer clear of em if I were you.... Ive never heard of the other however...Id rather be safe then sorry

Did they list the "L" number's on each of these Plec's? Sometimes Pet Stores aren't the best when it comes to the Correct names on fish.I've seen that first hand.And also,there are soooooooooo many species of Pleco's that kind of /sort of look like other's,but in reality, are another species all together.

they did, but I can't' remember...

doing some research, this is what they looked like, along with the L's that were on the page...

http://clayt101.tripod.com/royalpleco/id2.html
L191 "Royal plec"

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...aetost/40_f.php
rubber pleco

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...yanci/155_f.php
nugget

went back and checked out the real L numbers...

rubber pleco: L-56
Royal pleco: L27
Gold Nugget: L18

yes, they will probably do good with goldies; although the rubbernose is the only (real) algae eater although the scobiancistrus (gold nugget) will eat some algae he is still a very cool fish. Although I encourage branching out and getting the rarer varieties so don't feel confined to just getting algae eaters
on the L191 (panaque) he may eat algae from time to time, but not as much as a L165? clown plec, I have recently bought one from petco which are gregarious plecs, which are somewhat good of algae eaters. These all require bogwood it is MANDATORY, which helps aid their digestion.

Just uot of curiosity did you find these at a commercial pet store? (i.e. petco petsmart etc.)or just a small local buisness?-hope this helps.

small fish-only pet store. If you want to know the name, I'll email you.