Distinguished from congeners in Scandinavia and Russia by its maxilla clearly reaching beyond posterior margin of eye in adults. Can be also diagnosed by the combination of the following characters: length of maxilla about 9-11% SL; length of lower jaw about 13-20% SL; body depth about 18-24% SL; overall coloration outside spawning season dark, commonly greyish green above and bright orange or yellow on belly; spots usually bright orange; lips usually yellow, orange or pink (black in Lake Segozero); pectoral, pelvic and anal fins usually greyish red or orange, caudal fin with red or orange posterior edge and white or black lower margin (Ref. 59043).