Found only in the river drainages connected to the Maricá lagoon system, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. Collected first in December 1980 in the Itapeteiú creek, near the point where it flows into the Ubatiba river. In recent years, the area between the Itapeteiú creek and Ubatiba river underwent heavy modification by intense stream bottom sediment extraction and stream bank deforestation, making most fish species of the area extinct. Considered a critically endangered species (Ref. 102354).