D III-IV, 9-10; A 2-3/(5) 6 (7); L.lat. (29) 30-35 (36); Sp. br. 12-15; D. phar. 5.3.2-2.3.5: Circum ped.scales 12 or 14 (2 1/2 or 3 1/2 above the lateral line scale and 2 l/2 below it on each side).

The average number of branched rays in the dorsal fin is 9.76 of the 61 specimens examined had six branched rays in the anal fin, two had five and one had seven. The last simple ray of the dorsal fin, moderately ossified, and its posterior margin is

denticulated, with denticles being slightly larger than in C. canis and C. luteus.

The upper and lower profiles of the body are similar, both being slightly convex. The mouth is subterminal; lips thick and smooth as in the other members of the genus; mouth small, its opening lies in front of the vertical through the anterior margin of the nostril. All specimens have short posterior barbels. In 57.3 % of the specimens from Turkey, there are also very short (rudimentary) anterior barbels; in 18.2, % the anterior barbels are lacking, whereas in 23.4 % there is a single anterior barbel, either on the right or one the left side. The presence or absence of anterior barbels is not correlated with the size of the specimen (Ref. 57642).