Most commonly found in shallow, slow-moving sections of streams or calm habitats such as swamps, oxbows, backwaters and paddy fields. It is characterised by a rounded/truncate caudal-fin; a scaleless patch on top of the head; relatively large adult size; flanks with spotted patterning in females and a solid , dark lateral stripe in males; caudal-fin with dark, reticulated markings; a black spot at the base of the caudal-fin, usually covering rays 2-7.