Diagnosis: Luciobarbus chelifensis is distinguished from other Luciobarbus species from the African Mediterranean basins by a combination of characters, none of them unique (Ref. 115559). It is distinguished from all other species, except L. leptopogon, by having 41-43 + 1-2 lateral line scales vs. 49-51 + 1-2 in L. biscarensis, 43-47 + 1-2 in L. callensis, 43-45 + 1-3 in L. rifensis and L. setivimensis, 42-45 + 1-2 in L. yahyaouii; it also has a very short anal fin, anal-fin length 18-19% of standard length vs. 19-22% in L. leptopogon and L. setivimensis, 19-21% in L. yahyaouii (Ref. 115559). Luciobarbus chelifensis is also distinguished from L. leptopogon by having a smaller eye, 14-16% of head length vs. 16-20%, a greater body depth at the dorsal-fin origin, 25-31% of standard length vs. 20-27%, a shorter pelvic-fin length, 14-16% of standard length vs. 16-20%, and the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray being serrated along almost its entire length vs. last unbranched dorsal-fin ray serrated along 2/3 of its length; it is further distinguished from L. biscarensis by having 4 unbranched dorsal-fin rays vs. 5, 7.5 scale rows between the lateral line and the dorsal-fin origin vs. 8.5-9.5, 4.5-5.5 scale rows between the lateral line and the pelvic-fin origin vs. 7.5-8.5, and the dorsal-fin origin being situated above the pelvic-fin origin vs. behind; it is further distinguished from L. callensis and L. rifensis by having a wider anal-fin base, 8-10% of standard length vs. 5-8% in L. callensis and L. rifensis; and from L. setivimensis by the last unbranched ray being serrated along almost its entire length, vs. last unbranched ray serrated along 2/3 of its length, and having a narrower interorbital distance, 36-40% of head length vs. 40-44%; it is also distinguished from L. yahyaouii by having always 4 unbranched dorsal-fin rays, vs. usually 5, the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray being serrated along almost its entire length, vs. serrated along 2/3 of its length, and having a shorter pelvic-fin length, 14-16% of standard length vs. 16-19% (Ref. 115559).

Description: A medium-sized species with a moderately long head; body deepest at dorsal-fin origin or about midline between nape and dorsal-fin origin; depth decreasing continuously towards caudal-fin base; greatest body width in front of dorsal-fin base (Ref. 115559). Caudal peduncle compressed, 1.2-1.5 times longer than deep (Ref. 115559). Section of head roundish, flattened on ventral surface; snout rounded; mouth inferior (Ref. 115559). Dorsal-fin origin situated above pelvic-fin origin; anal-fin origin slightly behind vertical of middle between dorsal and caudal-fin origins; anal fin not reaching caudal-fin base; pectoral fin reaching approximately 60-75% of distance from pectoral-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin; pelvic fin reaching vertical of tip of last dorsal-fin ray when folded down; pelvic fin reaching to a short distance in front of anus; posterior dorsal-fin margin straight or slightly convex; posterior pectoral and anal-fin margins complex; caudal fin forked with rounded lobes of equal length; dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 8.5 branched rays, last unbranched ray serrated along almost its entire length; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5.5 branched rays; pectoral fin with 15-18 rays and pelvic fin with 7-8 rays (Ref. 115559). Lateral line with 41-43 scales on flank and 1-2 scales on caudal-fin base; between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7.5 scale rows and 4.5-5.5 scale rows between pelvic-fin origin and lateral line (Ref. 115559). Pharyngeal teeth in three rows: 4+3+2 (Ref. 115559).

Colouration: Whitish golden on belly, golden to greenish-grey on flank and back; a wide and indistinct bronze stripe along lateral line; paired fins and anal fin yellowish or orange; dorsal and caudal fins grey (Ref. 115559).