Body moder ately compr essed and r elativelythick. Snout moderately stout and rounded. Mouth almosthorizontal, between terminal and subterminal. Tip ofmouth cleft between the level of lower margin of pupiland lower margin of eye. The junction of lower jaw andquadrate on about a vertical through the anterior marginof pupil. Ventral keel between pelvics and anal fin variablyscaled, mostly along 1/3-2/3 of its length. Unbranchedpectoral fin ray margin strongly lined with melanophores.Orbit diameter larger than snout length andsmaller than interorbital width. Pelvic axillary scales extendover proximal bases of anal fin, forming a sheath.Upper and lower body profile convex. Pigmentationaround lateral line pores obscured on caudal peduncle.Gill rakers short. Peritoneum silvery with dark pigmentations.Inhabits upper riches of rivers, in clear, welloxygenated,low in pollutions waters below 20°C, with astony bed and almost neutral pH and bushy shore. Maximumage 3 years, total length 118 mm and weight 25 g.Maturity attained at 1-2 years and at least 41 mm totallength. Reproduction in spring, on sand or gravel and infast-flowing waters. Absolute fecundity up to 6,250 adhesiveeggs of up to 1.3 mm in diameter. Food mostlyinclude insect larvae and aquatic plants.