[3][4] This mussel has a somewhat flattened, smooth, oval shell which is thin in young animals and becomes thicker with age.

[3][4] This species lives in a variety of freshwater habitat types, including rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.

[3] Like other freshwater mussels, this species releases larvae called glochidia, which must attach parasitically to a host organism, generally a fish, so they can develop into free-living juveniles.

It has been observed on black bullhead (Ameiurus melas), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), fallfish (Semotilus corporalis), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), and many others.

It can also use amphibians as hosts, such as the larva of the northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata), and red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens).