Diagnosed from its congeners of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Balkan Peninsula and around Aegean Sea by the following characters: 50-57 + 2-3 scales on lateral line; 13-15 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal fin origin; 7-9 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic fin origin; last simple dorsal ray slender, with 11-15 serrae posteriorly along lower half in individuals less than about 9 cm SL, unserrated or only 3-4 small serrae at base of ray in larger ones; lower lip fleshy, thick, with a median lobe; pectoral and pelvic fins triangular; when extended, width between tip of first and last branched pelvic rays greater than length of last ray; and posterior margin of dorsal fin slightly concave (Ref. 59043).