It is known from the Segama and Kalabakan drainages in Sabah, Northeastern Borneo.

According to type specimens collected from Sabah, it can be found in slow pools of forested fast-flowing streams with mud and soil substrates containing substantial amounts of leaf debris.

[2] It has also supposedly been observed in Long Te Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan.

[3] Collected in 1999, the holotype for this specimen was noted to be 176.4 mm long (17.64 cm) from the edge of the skull to the caudal fin, with the 5 recorded paratypes ranging from 140.4 to 204.2 mm (14–20.4 cm).

Big white or yellow spots are also common in other Asian forest Clarias species.