The mouth is large, pointing upwards diagonally, with fine teeth.

Both anal and dorsal fins when folded reach the root of the caudal plumage.

Along the body runs a horizontal band, which, depending on the origin of the fish may be cream, white or bluish-silver.

These fish stay at depths of up to 1 m, at low currents (estuaries, marshes, flooded areas, lagoons, streams, irrigation and drainage canals, and small watercourses).

The fish always live close to the shore and vegetation, as they can find shelter from many predators there.