This fish was originally classified as Eutropiellus buffei, named after a Mr. Buffe, the director of the water and forest service of Dahomey at the time.

[citation needed] This species has between 8–9 branchiostegal rays.

The pelvic fins have 6 soft rays, 5 of which are branched.

[3] The body is silvery, with three lateral stripes on each side, and there are black spots on the upper and lower parts of the caudal fin.

[5] It is native to Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Benin and Guinea,[5] where it inhabits rivers and freshwater lagoons.