Diagnosed from other congeners in Europe by the possession of the following characters: barbel reaching beyond anterior eye margin, usually to middle of eye; snout length greater than postorbital distance; head length 26-30% SL; eye diameter 5-7% SL; 1.0-1.4 times in interorbital distance in over about 6 cm SL specimens (less in smaller ones), 2.4-2.8 times in head depth; head depth 15-17% SL at nape, 43-51% HL at eye; body depth 19-23% SL; head width 14-16% SL, 49-57% HL; caudal peduncle depth 30-34% HL; breast naked between pectorals; scales between anus and anal origin 4-5; scales on lateral line usually 39-42 + 2; and scales around caudal peduncle usually 12-14 (Ref. 59043). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196). Scalar formula: 38-45 (Ref. 40476).