Key to species of Mystus in Western Asia

1a No stripes on flank; eye below dorsal head profile, not protruding........................................ M. misrai

1b Flank with a wide, dark-brown, mid-lateral stripe, followed by a wide silvery stripe above and below, a narrow slivery line along lateral midline; eye at or slightly above dorsal head profile, usually protruding................................ 2

2a Maxillary barbel not reaching to pelvic-fin origin; adipose with a steep slope at its origin...................... M. cyrusi

2b Maxillary barbel reaching to or beyond of pelvic-fin origin; adipose with a gentle slope at its origin............ M. pelusius