Diagnosed from its congeners in Caspian and Black Sea basin by having the following characters: anal fin origin about 1½ -2½ scales behind last branched dorsal ray; lateral line with 54-65 + 4-5 scales; anal fin rays with 13-15½ branched rays; 18-23 gill rakers; ventral keel exposed for 8-12 scales in front of anus (up to almost 80% of distance between anus and pelvic base); head length 20-24% SL; predorsal length 52-56% SL; caudal peduncle depth 1.9-2.4 times in its length; nuptial males with few, large tubercles; lacking dark midlateral stripe. Morphology is variable which has been considered to be an adaptation to different habitats, but data suggest that this is probably due to several species being confused under this species (Ref. 59043).