It is considered to be extinct in the wild since 2005 by the EPBC Act, and was originally found only in Lake Pedder in Tasmania.

Introduced trout are implicated as a major factor in the decline of this species.

[2] A small greenish-brown fish, off-white to silvery belly, a profuse irregular and highly variable pattern of alternating off-white and brownish contrasting bands extending into the base of the fins and breaking up into fine spots on the lower part of the sides.

Before the construction of the new lake, this species preferred Lake Pedder itself which was quite shallow surrounded by white sandy beaches and small rooted aquatic vegetation as well as in swamps and low velocity waters with abundant instream organic debris and overhanging terrestrial vegetation.

Male genital papilla narrow, whereas female are broad and rounded, most noticeable during breeding season.