The total length reaches 16 cm. The head is compressed from the sides. The snout ends with a long, flattened from above, thin, slightly upwardly curved protuberance with a blunt end. In males, bristles appear on it during the breeding season. The eyes are small, the mouth is small. The body is elongated, almost round in cross section. Males are slimmer, females are smoother. The upper and lower torso are covered with bony plates that overlap like tiles. The tail stem is very long, thin and flattened at the top and bottom. The dorsal and anal fins are located opposite each other. Pectoral fins small, wide enough. Abdominal fins are tiny. The tail fin resembles a forked whip. The upper and lower rays of the caudal fin are threadlike and elongated.
The color is variable: from brown-green to yellowish-brown. The body is covered with dark specks, the color of the belly varies from white to yellowish. From the muzzle to the caudal fin, fuzzy dark, sometimes intermittent longitudinal stripes run along the sides. They disappear and appear depending on the condition and mood of the fish. The fins are transparent, rays with blackish dashes. Females are paler than males.
Prefers clean, clear water rich in oxygen. It is found in rivers with a strong current and sandy ground. Keeps bottom layers of water. Often "hangs" on the leaves or snags. During the day, he hides among plants or in shelters, between which he “crawls” like with pectoral fins. At the same time, sometimes jumps out of the water. Active at dusk and at night. It feeds on small aquatic organisms, algae .
Life expectancy is 6 years.
