Can be distinguished from other species of Cottus in the Adriatic basin and Danube drainage by the combination of the following characters; no distinct transverse bands on pelvic fin; prickling on body under pectoral fin, very rarely present shortly behind pectoral fin; depth of caudal peduncle 25-31% HL, 1.0-1.7 times in its length; body depth at origin of second dorsal fin 17-23% SL; interorbital distance 0.7-1.4 times in eye diameter; 15-16 1/2 rays in second dorsal fin; 12-13 1/2 anal-fin rays; last anal-fin ray connected to body by a membrane along 1/3-1/2 of its length; no membrane attaching pelvic-fin base to body; membrane of first dorsal fin usually not reaching origin of second dorsal fin in females; dorsal head length 21-25% SL; predorsal length 35-40% SL; distance from tip to snout to origin of second dorsal fin 54-59% SL (Ref. 55856).