The Western pygmy perch is a small fish with an olive, brown and green mottled body with tow orange stripes along the flanks.

In the breeding season the males develop brighter colouration with golden mottling along the flanks, a reddish-orange abdomen and the fins darken.

It occurs in the majority of the river drainages within its range, as well as in lakes near the south coast.

[1] The Western pygmy perch is found predominantly in lakes, streams, and swamps, and can withstand a degree of brackishness.

The eggs measure around 1.2 mm and are slightly adhesive, which allows them to cling to submerged plants, rocks, or debris.