Type locality of Galaxias terenasus, New South Wales, Maclaughlin River, at Allen Caldwell Bridge on Ando (Dalgety/Bombala) Road, north-north-west of Bombala. Known from the very south-east corner of southern NSW and East Gippsland, Victoria, in the mid Snowy River, Cann River and Genoa River systems. In the Snowy River, it is recorded from Burnt Hut Crossing (approximately 500 m asl), Maclaughlin River system (to 780 m asl) and widespread in the Delegate/Bombala River systems (760 and 785 m asl respectively). It is known from the mid to upper reaches of the Genoa River system (250-680 m asl), mainly in NSW, and also recorded from at least one confirmed location in the mid Cann River system in Victoria. Probably it is more widespread in this catchment. Apparently absent from the very upper, headwater reaches of all these systems. Historical data is generally lacking, except for a record from Curry Flat, Nimmitabel (possibly Bobundara Creek system) c. 1914 (BMNH 1914.8.20.67-68), near Bombala in 1938 (AMS IA.7904 to IA.7906) and from Church Creek near Delegate in 1965-6 (NMV A.9897 and NMV A.30581-1). This species was reconfirmed from the Bombala and Church Creek systems in 2002-3 (Ref. 98815).

Conservation status. Critically endangered in Victoria (DSE 2013) (Ref. 98815).