[1] T. longipinnis is endemic to coastal streams in the Atlantic forest between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo States in southeastern Brazil.

[2] This catfish dwells in pools beneath small waterfalls in steep hill streams flowing over rocky and sandy substrates.

[3] This catfish uses visual, tactile, and chemosensory orientation to feed on bottom-dwelling aquatic and terrestrial insects in the water column or on the surface.

The catfish possibly developed, or retained, its characid-like role (diurnal, nektonic, and insectivorous) in separately with this more widespread tetra.

[3] Due to restricted distribution, specialized habitat, and differentiated populations, the vulnerable (VU B1+2bc) status in the IUCN List is proposed.