It is endemic to caves in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

[3] Initially only known from a specimen collected in 1962, it was rediscovered in 2004 by researchers led by the ichthyologist Dr Cristiano Moreira from the University of São Paulo.

[2][4] According to locals it was relatively common in the Jaíba region until the early 1990s, but generally not seen afterwards as extensive water extraction had significantly lowered the water table, resulting in many wells and springs drying out.

This represents a serious threat to the continued survival of Stygichthys typhlops.

[2] It is recognized as an endangered species by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment.