It is endemic to Lake Dianchi in Yunnan Province, China.

The species started to decline in the 1970s and has not been caught in the lake after two specimens were collected in 1985; it may be extinct.

Its demise is likely due to introduced fish species, grass carp.

They have a rounded belly, blunt snout, eyes on the lateral part of their heads, and a small transverse mouth.

This article relating to Xenocyprinae is a stub.