Can be diagnosed based on its karyotypic formula: 2n = 50 (8 m + 18 sm + 24 sta), NF =76 (Ref. 76903). Distinguished from other species of the genus Cobitis in the following set of characteristics diagnostic for the species Cobitis melanoleuca: Canestrini’s organ in males is narrow, bottle-shaped, its plate usually extends no far than to the end of the third segment of fin ray articulated with it; near the base of caudal fin there are two elongated dark spots often connected with each other; scales small, oval, with a large center not covered with transverse furrows and a small number of rings (less than ten, more often four to five) along the margin (Ref. 76903).