Got myself a gold nugget pleco a couple of days ago. A real little beauty it is as well. These are the sort of pleco's that I would recommend, they reach around 8 inches which is just perfect. Unfortunately, they are blooming expensive, £29 it cost me. I will try and get a photo but he is being a little illusive at the moment and hiding away. He is only around 3 1/2 inches at the moment so I've got him in a 20 gallon and untill he gets a little bit bigger, and then he will go into the very big tank.

I have a plec that is a yellow colour, but seeing as i got him and a normal plec (both about 2 inches) in exchange for a 10 inches plec i guess he isnt a golden one you are talking about

Awwww Yes, those are beautiful! Do you know which species you got?
I used to have a L177, got him with my baby Oscar back then. He was about 3 inches and cost me 30 Euro, the most I have paid for a fish yet lol. Back then ppl told me I was challenging my luck because those often will have a green belly if looking from the underside and die after a while. I didn't have any problems though, guess those which make it to Europe alive are the survivors anyway.
Mine didn't grow much at all, maybe to 4 inch, and others said the same about theirs. I did some research then and read they need it quite warm to grow, like 27 C and higher, and a lot of greens. Mine didn't seem to be too enthusiastic though when it comes to cucumber or so, was more after what leftovers of the cichlid food. I gave him pleco tabs additionally where the others couldn't get them, he learned that quickly.

I unfortunately lost him some weeks ago when he had to sit in the bathtub until I had the tank back up and running Noticed too late that the plug in in the bathroom wasn't meant for anything like 200 Watt and the heater would not work. All others made it through that without trouble.
Not sure though if that about the temp is true for all Gold nuggets. Hope you're luckier.

Here's an old pic of mine from about when I got him, bad quality.

I think there are three types of gold nugget pleco. Mine has got smaller spots than the one in your photo. He is so elusive though, I haven't seen them at all today. Yes, did check to see if he was floating how long did yours take to grow? I believe they are quite slow growers, unlike some of the other pleco.

i really like these gold nuggets but here in NZ they r just to exspensive like $90 a piece.

maybe i should just bite the bullet and get one

I didn't realise you were a Kiwi, I love the New Zealand accent, and yes, I can normally tell it apart from an Aussie accent, unlike a lot of people. All of the New Zealand people I know used to hate being mistaken for Australians, not that there's anything wrong with Australians. A little bit like Canadians being mistaken for Americans. Anyway, I'm going off topic here, I'll get a warning from someone in a minute.

I don't know what the exchange rate is between New Zealand and England. I believe its two Australian dollars to one English pound. I paid £29 for my gold Nugget pleco.

I'm picking up a Leporinus fasciatus tomorrow, I've got it reserved at the local aquatic centre, really looking forward to it