It has a large, steeply sloping head, which is very broad in older individuals. Its mouth is small and straght with bicuspid teeth. Dorsal and anal fins are set far back from the caudal base, and no pelvic fins are present. The caudal fins are straight in terminal outline.
Coloring ranges from olivaceous above to silvery on lower sides and bottom.
These fish usually have two lengthwise series of coarse black spots, one along the middle line of the body, the other on a level with the caudal peduncle. The White River springfish is a thermal endemic fish, i.e. it originates in warm, isolated water and is adapted to the living conditions there. Cold water acts as a barrier which prevents these fish from moving away from the warm water springs where they originated. Males exhibit characteristic courting behaviour to induce females to release eggs. During this time the male displays intense colors with mid dorsal markings becoming very dark.