Differs from other species of shemayas in Europe and Asian Black Sea basin by the combination of the following characters: origin of anal fin ½ scale behind dorsal-fin base, below dorsal-fin ray 7-8 individuals larger than 9 cm SL; anal fin with 12-14½ branched rays; gill rakers 23-31; lateral line scales 52-59 + 3; ventral keel exposed for 10-12 scales in front of anus; head length 24-25% SL, 0.9-1.0 times in body depth at dorsal-fin origin; predorsal length 54-57% SL; caudal peduncle depth 9-10% SL, 2.0-2.4 times in its length; caudal peduncle length 20-22% SL; eye diameter 6.3-7.9% SL, 1.0-1.3 times in interorbital distance; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 21-25% SL; faint, dark lateral stripe on body (Ref. 78144).

Description: dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays (Ref. 78144).