This spinedace is overall silvery in color, with a brassy sheen and a pattern of sooty blotches or speckles on each side. The dorsal fin has eight rays, the first two of which are spiny, the second being longer than the one closer to the frontal area. The anal fin has eight to 10 rays, usually 9. The breeding male is more brightly colored, developing a band on the anal fin, orange to red shades on the paired fins, and a spot of red or gold color at the top of the gill slit. The Virgin spinedace adult is generally 6 to 12 cm in total length. The mouth is less oblique than that of "L. vittata". The dorsal fin is lower and rounded, and its depressed length is 5.6 to 6.1 cm. The Virgin Spinedace is omnivorous, with a diet of primarily aquatic insects.