This species is distinguished by the following characters: males differ from other species of the A. anatoliae group by having irregularly set and shaped dark-brown flank-bars often fused to each other, forming rows of vertically elongated silvery blotches and many small silvery spots or fields of small vermiculation, disconnected from silvery bar interspaces on flank; males differs from males of some other species of the A. anatoliae group by having a wide, dusty grey or black anal-fin margin, often interrupted in small individuals; a narrow, white stripe or a series of white spots on the black dorsal-fin base; and usually some white blotches in the middle of the dorsal fin; females are distinguished by having a vermiculate brown colour pattern, usually with a mid-lateral series of short stripes (Ref. 126374).