[2] Austrian naturalist Franz Steindachner described the species in 1867,[2] from the Fitzroy River in Queensland.

In inland Australia, it has been recorded from the Diamantina, Georgina, Cooper, Bulloo and Finke Rivers.

It is abundant in rivers on the western side of Cape York, though less common on the east coast.

It is found down the east coast as far as the Mary River in southeastern Queensland, as well as Fraser Island.

[3] During the day, it keeps close to the river floor, generally at depths of around 2 m (6.6 ft), and forages in shallow water to 30 cm deep at night.