Distinguished from its congeners in Apennine Peninsula by having the following unique characters: peritoneum black; and breeding males with two horizontal rows of distinct and separate tubercles on side of head above eye, lower one with 8-11 tubercles, upper one with 3-6 tubercles (tubercles reddish brown in ethanol); tubercles on body and head conical, sharply pointed, pointed slightly forward, occupying about 1/3 of exposed area of scale. Can be further separated from other species of the genus in Apennine Peninsula by the combination of the following characters: 43-46 + 3 scales along lateral line; dorsal fin with 10½ branched rays; anal fin with 11½ branched rays; mouth inferior; body laterally compressed, maximum width about 50% of body depth; iris silvery; flanks golden bronze in life, marbled with darker patches; and snout conical (Ref. 59043).