Phoxinus ketmaieri is distinguished from other congeners from Italy and Western Balkans

by having low number of scales in longitudinal series 58-61, and number of circumpeduncular scales, 24-26. The holotype has a depigmented body but with melanophores traces of the former pigmentation and breast blotches of scales separated. In a paratype from Zrmanje, the longitudinal stripe extends from the tip of snout to the end of caudal peduncle where it ends in a roundish spot. The pharyngeal teeth usually 4.1 or 4.2, body moderately elongate, dorsal profile convex sometimes with a slightly pronounced hump, dorsal profile of the head slightly more convex than ventral, snout blunt, mouth slightly subterminal, and chin rounded (Ref. 105385).