Differs from other species of shemayas and Turkey by the combination of the following characters: origin of anal fin about 1½ -2½ scales behind dorsal-fin base; anal fin with 14-16½ branched rays; gill rakers 25-31; length of gill raker at angle between upper and lower limbs of first gill arch 60-90% of opposite inner gill filament; lateral line scales 56-66+4; ventral keel exposed for 5-8 scales in front of anus; head length 22-24% SL; predorsal length 53-57% SL; caudal peduncle depth 1.8-2.4 times in its length; eye diameter 5.4-7.3% SL, 1.0-1.3 times in interorbital distance; interorbital distance 6.0-7.3% SL; no faint, dark midlateral stripe; and numerous small tubercles in nuptial males (Ref. 75107).

Description: dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 14½ -16½ branched rays (Ref. 75107).