Emerald shiner has an elliptical body shape and they are slab-sided. They appear fragile and delicate, but in truth it is a hardy minnow. Their mouth is large, terminal, oblique, and has no barbel. The transparent dorsal fin contains 8 rays, and it is located distinctly behind the insertion of the pelvic fins. The anal fin contains from 10 to 12 rays, and the pectoral fins contain from 13 to 17 rays.
Body color consists of an emerald green back, a distinct silver lateral band, and a white belly.
A complete lateral line has from 35 to 41 scales. This cyprinid inhabits the mid-depth to surface waters of the main channel and chutes in large streams, where they often are found in large schools. Spawning occurs from late May to mid-July. Young fish feed exclusively on algae.