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.

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

Stocks have also been introduced to dams on the Brisbane, North Pine and Noosa Rivers.

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