 It is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it was formerly widespread in the Olifants River and its tributaries.Its range has decreased throughout most of the 20th century, and by now it is apparently only found in the upper Olifants River as well as the Biedou, Doring, Driehoeks, Jan Dissels, Oorlogskloof, Ratels and Tra Tra Rivers.It is rather euryoecious, inhabiting a wide variety of small and large rivers.