These small, oblong fish are generally gray with rows of spots that almost blend to look like stripes. Males have an enlarged dorsal fin, but otherwise they have small fins in general, including a truncated caudal (tail) fin. Their upturned faces help them draw from the upper layer of oxygen-rich water, allowing them to thrive in poor quality water. They can be found in ponds, marshes, and even roadside ditches, and they are popular with aquarists, who have bred a wide variety of colors with this tolerant fish.