Type locality of Rhinogobius yaima Yaku-shima I. of Osumi Group, Isso-gawa River. Occurs in the upper reaches of swift freshwater streams in montane areas of Ishigaki-jima and Iriomote-jima islands, Yaeyama Group of the Ryukyu Is. Common in Iriomote-jima island and rare in Ishigaki-jima I. Although a landlocked population is found in O'omija-gawa River of Iriomote-jima I., it appears to be amphidromous, judging from small-sized eggs laid by the females at the spawning grounds in Urauchi-gawa River, Iriomote-jima I. (Ref. 123096).