Dolichospermum fuscum is a filamentous cyanobacterium found in freshwater environments. It forms straight or slightly curved trichomes composed of cylindrical or barrel-shaped cells, typically 3 to 6 micrometers wide and 8 to 20 micrometers long. The trichomes contain heterocysts for nitrogen fixation and produce akinetes for survival. Cells are blue-green due to chlorophyll a and phycobiliproteins. Dolichospermum fuscum contributes to nutrient cycling and supports aquatic ecosystems through photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.