Found only in parts of the Central Catchment Nature Reserves. Occurs in shaded and shallow small streams and pools in swamp-forest. Feeds at night on small fish, insects and crustaceans. Sometimes marketed as an aquarium fish. Threatened due to habitat degradation and illegal collecting. Considered extinct in 1966, but was rediscovered in 1989. Conservation measures include continued protection of its natural habitat in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve from human impacts, and strict policing against illegal fishing (Ref. 85309).

Status of threat: critically endangered (Ref. 85350).