The dorsal surface of the fish is typically an olive or straw color that has a silver overlay, and there is a dusky strip along its back.

The ribbon shiners are commonly found in small to moderate sized calm streams.

The streams can be clear to cloudy, and the sediment can range for sand, mud, clay, silt, or detritus.

The breeding colors of the males is yellow, and there is no sexual dimorphism in adult sizes.

The ribbon shiner is located in Gulf drainages from Lake Pontchartrain (Louisiana) to the Navidad River (Texas), and they are located in all drainage systems of Lake Pontchartrain, but excluding the Tangipahoa.