Prietella is a small genus of North American freshwater catfishes found in Mexico and Texas, and restricted to underground waters.

[1] There are currently two recognized species in this genus:[4] The distribution of Prietella now is known to extend from the very northern part of the Mexican state of Coahuila, very near the international boundary, to the southernmost part of the state of Tamaulipas, 750 kilometres (470 mi) away to the southeast.

[5][3] P. phreatophila has a greater distribution than P. lundbergi; P. phreatophila originates from the Bravo River basin, Coahuila, from near Múzquiz northward to about 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Ciudad Acuña and to near Allende, Coahuila.

[6] Both species occupy different Gulf of Mexico drainages and are separated by about 600 km (370 mi).

[8] Most Phreatophila have been found well in habitats that likely have relatively little short-term fluctuation in environmental parameters.

Fish that have been presumed to be males when first coming in contact with each other will engage in this behavior that is thought to establish a social dominance hierarchy.