Its name is due to its appearance, as breeding males have a blue head and develop large nuptial tubercles.

[5] They have a pored body, a weakly falcate pectoral fin, and pharyngeal teeth.

[4] The bluehead chub is a freshwater fish, and lives in pools, rivers, and streams.

[6] Bluehead chubs inhabit freshwater pools, creeks, and small to medium rivers with sandy or rocky bottoms.

[7] As a result of bait bucket releases by fishermen, the bluehead chub has spread to multiple drainage basins in which it is not native.