Distinguished from congeners of Aphanius and other species of Valenciidae and Fundulidae in Europe by the following characters: males have dark grey caudal fin, with a distinct submarginal bar and 4-5 vertical rows of hyaline dots sometimes organized into regular bars; males possess 14-17 dark grey bars on a silvery background, bars irregularly shaped and set, often connected; females have a few large black spots on side, usually organized into two rows, one on middle of flank, one level with pectoral base; 24-26 scales in lateral line series on body; pectoral fin with 9-10 rays; and anal fin usually with 9 rays (Ref. 59043).