Between late autumn and summer, males may have a brilliant orange-red stripe on the flanks, below the lateral line.

[3] This species is omnivorous: its diet comprises algae, as well as arthropods, such as chironomids and water fleas.

[3] This species inhabits North America, in southern Canada, and the northern United States.

[2][4] It feeds by sight,[5] so waters it inhabits are generally clear streams and bog drainage systems.

[5] Human activities such as reservoir construction, groundwater pumping, stream diversions, and channelization all contribute to the former.