It was originally characterized in the Pangani River of Tanzania, and may also be present in Kenya.

It is listed as extinct by IUCN as a result of a 1996 evaluation,[3] but this appears to be incorrect.

[2] A more recent IUCN publication stated that this species is not endangered in any way.

[4] Two isolated populations of similar fish have been reported from springs flanking Mount Kilimanjaro, with some disagreement as to whether they represent the same or distinct related species: at the Kikuletwa Hot Springs of Hai District of Kilimanjaro Region, upstream of the Pangani,[5][6][7] and the Mzima Springs, in the Tsavo River drainage, Kenya.

[8] The latter is listed as a distinct, vulnerable species, C. aff.