A deep-bodied, almost round fish, with many spines on both dorsal and anal fins. Color is a yellow-green or brassy-olive to brownish-gold, with a dark brown to black spot on each scale, appearing as rows of spots. A dark vertical streak extends downward from the eye to the lower edge of its cheek. It has large, rounded fins, much like a crappie, with a head and mouth similar in shape to a bluegill.