Ancistrus fulvus (L338) (Holly, 1929)

Holly describes the color very shortly as "dark brown”, but names another trait important for identification: The holotype has eight soft rays in its dorsal fin, quite extraordinary for this genus, which made a safe identification of L 338 as A. fulvus possible at all. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Darren Beddows for reviewing and sending photographic proof. In live coloration, the caramel-colored body has cloudy lighter parts, depending on the mood of the fish. It is strewn with inconspicuous tiny yellow dots, especially around the onset of the pectoral and ventral fins and around the snout rim. The caudal fin is reddish brown, with a white margin. Males have robust tentacles. Not all A. fulvus have eight branching rays in their dorsal fin, seven are also a possibility.