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; anal fin with 12-14½ branched rays; gill rakers 27-32; lateral line scales 53-61 + 4; circumpeduncular scales 16-18; ventral keel exposed for 8-12 scales in front of anus; head length 23-25% SL, 0.8-1.0 times in body depth at dorsal-fin origin; predorsal length 54-57% SL; caudal peduncle depth 9-10% SL, 1.9-2.5 times in its length; caudal peduncle length 18-22% SL; eye diameter 5.3-6.6% SL, 1.2-1.4 times in interorbital distance; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 19-23% SL; faint, dark lateral stripe on body; and presence of numerous, small tubercles in nuptial males (Ref. 78144).

Description: dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays (Ref. 75106).