It is native to Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia in the United States, in each of which its population has declined severely.

It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

[4][5]: 24064 Like other freshwater mussels, this species reproduces by releasing its larvae, or glochidia, into the water where they make their way into the bodies of fish.

Fish hosts for this mussel include fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas); river chub (Nocomis micropogon); stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum); telescope shiner (Notropis telescopus); Tennessee shiner (Notropis leuciodus); white shiner (Luxilus albeolus); whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura); and the mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi).

[6] This species appears to be most closely related to Fusconaia cor.