[3][4] Adults have 4 fingers and toes, are darkly colored with scattered yellow spots and have rectangular heads and rounded tails oftentimes longer than the rest of their body.

Larvae have large rounded triangular heads with short fin-like tails roughly shorter than the rest of their body and are generally light yellow without any distinct spots.

The native range of these salamanders is roughly 2,000 km2, limited almost exclusively to the rivers, inland karsts, and caves of the area due to the aquatic nature of the species.

Additionally, when dissecting cave dwelling adult specimens researchers discovered (Myotis blythyii) bat remains within the salamanders stomach.

The specific threats that fall under habitat loss for this species are urban sprawl around the coast and foothills of the Caspian Sea, agriculture (specifically rice cultivation in this area), logging (siltation in streams that the larvae rely upon), and surface water & groundwater pollution (because this species is so reliant upon aquatic habitats this threat is especially influential).