This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by the following set of characters, none of which are unique: differs from P. hircanica, P. atrakensis, and two other species found in rivers of the eastern Caspian Sea basin, by having scales on the flank posterior to the dorsal-fin origin, sparsely set on the flank between the dorsal-fin origin and the anal-fin base, densely set on the caudal peduncle (vs. no scales) and the caudal-fin rays hyaline with an irregular pattern of dark-brown or black spots and elongated blotches often organised in 1-2 wide, irregularly-shaped bars (vs. caudal-fin rays dark-brown or black, a hyaline base and a hyaline posterior margin in P. hircanica); base and posterior caudal-fin margin hyaline; differs from P. hircanica by having many, pale- or dark-brown blotches and spots on the body; individuals larger than 6.0 cm SL with blotches usually roundish or vertically elongated, some are fused to each-other, the blotches are comma-shaped along the lateral midline in smaller individuals forming a densely-set row (vs. a mid-lateral row of spots and small blotches, fused to an incomplete, irregularly shaped stripe along the lateral line in most P. hircanica individuals); differs from P. atrakensis by having a well-developed axillary pelvic lobe (vs. absent) (Ref. 119511).