It is endemic to relatively deep waters in Lake Tanganyika in the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.

[1] It has been recorded as deep as 200 m (660 ft),[2] even in waters virtually devoid of oxygen.

[3] This species reaches up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in length[4] and has an unusual protractile mouth.

[1] It feeds on zooplankton[1] and will shift sand, similar to the distantly related Geophagus eartheaters of South America.

[2] Like many other Tanganyika cichlids, it is a mouthbrooder[4] and occasionally seen in the aquarium trade.