This species is distinguished by having a weakly ossified last unbranched dorsal-fin ray and the superior margin of the dorsal fin is straight or slightly concave; differs from all other Italian fluviolacustrine species by having the longest pre-orbital distance 7.9-11.0 %SL; differs from B, samniticus by a lower maximum height 18.8%-24.9% (vs. 20.4%-25.1% SL) and from B. tyberinus, B. plebejus by longer pectoral 17.6%-21.5% (vs. 16.7%-19.8% and . 15.7%-20.4% SL), ventral fins 13.4%-16.3 (vs. 11.0%-15.7 and 11.6%-15.3% SL) and the base of the caudal fin 13.8%-17.4% (vs. 12.1%-14.7% and 12.1%-15.1% SL); differs from B. tyberinus for its longer mouth-operculum distance 20.8%-26.4% (vs. 20.8%-23.9% SL), higher length of both the upper 20.1%-26.0% (vs. 19.1%-23.7% SL) and lower lobes 19.2%-25.6% (vs. 19.5%-23.4% SL) of the caudal fin, a greater height of the first dorsal-fin ossified ray 11.8%-18.4% (vs. 13.7%-16.3% SL), a major quantity of dots on scales and fins and the different dominant colour of anal (orange), dorsal (orange/grey) and ventral (orange) fins; differs from B. plebejus in having fewer scales on 51-65 (vs. 58-71), above 9-14 (vs. 11-15) and under 7-10 (vs. 8-11) the lateral line, ventral fins are composed of 9 rays, A 8; D 10 with straight edge, second ray has a posteriorly serrated edge; the serration teeth are visible to the naked eye only when the specimen is dry; caudal fin forked, with 18 rays; lateral line is straight; dorsal profile slightly convex; body shape rounded in cross-section and tapered. Colouration: in general, silvery, yellowish and greyish-brown on the back, with brown spots composed of small dots irregularly grouped, also present on the flank (Ref. 123793).