Occurs sporadically in coastal drainages of northern Australia, between Olive River (Queensland) and the Adelaide River (Northern Territory); also on Melville Island, just offshore from Darwin (Ref. 44894). Records exist from East Alligator; Goyder, and Roper in N.T.; Gregory, Cattle Creek, Mitchell, Archer, Wenlock, and Jardine in Qld. (Ref. 7300). Established in Tinaroo Dam, northern Queensland (Ref. 6071). Prefers clear streams and often in the upper reaches inhabiting both faster flowing streams (Gregory R. running into the Gulf of Carpentaria), and still billabongs (Magela Creek in NT Alligator R. system). The species can stand temperatures below 15°C (Ref. 2906).