Distinguished from the only congener Salmo ezenami in European Caspian basin by the following unique characters: maxilla reaching posterior margin of eye; and gill rakers pointed, tips never club-changed. Diagnosed from Salmo capius, a species restricted to southern Caspian basin, by its unique body depth about 15-20% SL (vs. 21-26); differs further by the combination of having head depth about 59-65% HL (vs. 68-75) and interorbital distance about 30-42% HL (vs. 37-48) (Ref. 59043).