[3] The dorsal side of the body is light brown with 14–22 dark blotches down the center serving as camouflage to potential predators above the darter.

The ventral side is cream colored which helps disguise the darter from potential predators below them.

They have a row of 11–16 blotches down their sides that are taller than they are wide and connected by a thin lateral stripe.

It is found in North America from the central Ohio and Mississippi River basins, to northeastern South Dakota and the Lake Winnebago system (in Lake Michigan drainage) in Wisconsin, and as far south as the Red River in eastern Oklahoma and northeast Texas.

[5] Slenderhead darters are found in areas of relatively shallow water with riffles and a moderate current.

The darters exhibit sexual dimorphism with the males pigmentation darkening in April and peaking during spawning.

Males are territorial and guard patches of swift flowing water 15–60 centimeters deep.

[4] Slenderhead darters are lie-in-wait predators that feed predominantly on insect larvae, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates.