Numerous specimens of Cobitis taenia were collected from Mie and Shizuoka Prefectures, central Honshu, Japan.These specimens were compared morphologically with syntopic specimens of C. biwaev Predorsal distance, length of barbels and number and composition of vertebrae, in addition to the shape of the lamina circularis, were helpful in distinguishing between these two forms from the same localities.Morphological and taxonomical problems concerning two subspecies of C.taenia from Japan are discussed.