Differs from other species of shemayas by the combination of the following characters: origin of anal fin about 1½ -2½ scales behind dorsal-fin base; anal fin with 15-17½ branched rays; gill rakers 27-34; length of gill raker at angle between upper and lower limbs of first gill arch 30-55% of opposite inner gill filament; lateral line scales 56-63 + 4-5; ventral keel exposed for 4-6 scales in front of anus, reaching about 25% of distance between anus and pelvic-fin base; head length 21-23% SL; predorsal length 53-58% SL; caudal peduncle depth 6.9-8.1% SL,1.7-2.0 times in its length; eye diameter 4.8-5.8% SL, 1.3-1.6 times in interorbital distance; presence of numerous small tubercles in nuptial males; absence of faint, dark midlateral stripe (Ref. 75106).

Description: dorsal fin with 8½ branched rays; anal fin with 15 -17½ branched rays (Ref. 75106).