[2][3][4] Pangio semicincta, much like related taxa, is a long, eel-like fish, usually reaching 10 cm in length at maximum.

Its body has nine to twelve uneven dark brown bands, with yellow in between them, and a pale white underside.

It is most often found in calm, shallow, tannin heavy blackwater areas, such as streams, swamps, and oxbow lakes.

These habitats are often shaded and have low pH, due to the release of tannins from decaying plant material.

Pangio are social fish, living in large aggregations in the wild, and in home aquaria are often observed staying together, often packing themselves into the same cave or crevice.