This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Persian Gulf basin by the following set of characters, none of which are unique to the species: differs from G. amirhosseini by having branched dorsal-fin rays, usually 8 1/2 (vs. usually 7 1/2) and with circumpeduncular scales 12-13 (vs. 13-14); differs from G. meymehensis by having branched dorsal-fin rays usually 8 ½ (vs. usually 7 1/2) and the lateral line scales 30-33 (vs. 33-37); differs from G. gymnothorax, G. rufa by the total lateral line scales 30-33 (vs. 32-37) and circumpeduncular scales 12-13 (vs. 13-17); differs from G. persica by having branched caudal-fin rays 9 + 8 (vs. 8 + 8) and total gill rakers on the first branchial arch 19-22 (vs. 17-19); differs from G. mondica by having branched dorsal-fin rays 8 ½ (vs. 7 ½) and the belly covered by scales (vs. scaleless); differs from the subterranean Garra species from the Tigris River drainage by having the flanks fully covered by scales (vs. scaleless in G. lorestanensis, G. typhlops or few scales on anterior portion of flanks in G. tashanensis), a well-developed mental disc (vs. absent in G. typhlops), well-developed eye (vs. reduced in G. lorestanensis, G. tashanensis, G. typhlops), and a pigmented body surface (vs. no pigmentation in G. lorestanensis, G. tashanensis, G. typhlops); differs from G. elegans by having free lateral and posterior margins of the mental disc (vs. fully attached) (Ref. 123809).