It is found in Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Its head which is flattened on the top, has large eyes and an upper mouth that is covered with small, three-pointed teeth.

From April to September, the females lay their eggs on the bottom, preferably on aquatic plants and algae.

After ten to fifteen days, the young hatch and reach sexual maturity at the end of their first year of life .

It eats small crustaceans and plankton, as well insects and their larvae, but also plant parts, algae and detritus .