 It is tetraploid.Its closest living relative is probably the Twee River redfin ("P. erubescens").It is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs in the upper Olifants River and its tributaries – the Biedou, Boontjies, Boskloof, Breekkrans, Driehoeks, Dwars, Eselbank, Jan Dissels, Matijes, Noordhoeks, Oudste, Ratels, Rondegat, Thee and Tra Tra Rivers – near Clanwilliam and Keerom.