In colouration, they are dark brown to olive green along the back, with lighter sides and a white belly.

The lower jaw slopes steeply upwards and carries two fleshy barbels on the chin.

The depth of its body is 23–25% of its Standard Length, and it has fewer fin rays than S. jardinii.

[2][page needed] They are commonly found in freshwater impoundments on the Mary, Dawson and Burnett rivers.

Southern saratoga prefer still waters and slow flowing sections of rivers and can be found sheltering in lily-pads or below fallen timber.