It is endemic to Lake Laut Tawar in Indonesia, where its population is rapidly decreasing due to ecological disturbances, global warming, introduced species, unlawful fishing practices, and pollution.

Depik characteristics are generally similar to anchovies: it has a small and oval body, a black back, and a white belly.

In addition to resembling anchovies, depik is also similar to Relo (Rasbora tawarensis) and Eas (Resbora argyrotaenia), which are common to Lake Laut Tawar.

[3] It was formed by the Dorman volcano,[4] and is surrounded by Mount Bukit Barisan with its highest peak around 2,000 meters above sea level.

[5] The lake plays an important role for the indigenous Gayo tribe, such as being a source of clean water, irrigation, industry, and fisheries.

The average water temperature in Lake Laut Tawar ranges from 21.55 to 19.35 °C, measured during the day at a depth of 1–50 meters.

There are four dominant factors behind the decrease of depik population: ecological disturbances and global warming, introduced species, unfriendly fishing practices, and pollution.

[7] In addition, the level of pollution continues to increase considering the area is rapidly developing and is one of the leading tourism sectors in the province of Aceh.

One of the fishing techniques commonly used by local fishermen is called the dedeseun trap, which capture migratory depik at the mouths of tributaries, many of them adult broodfish.