This species has a wide natural distribution and faces no major threats. Therefore, it is assessed as Least Concern. Research is needed to determine its natural population size and trend.

The species is known from Hong Kong, southern China, Taiwan, northern Viet Nam, and north-eastern Lao PDR (Kottelat 2001).

This species is widely introduced for aquaculture (Liao et al. 2001, FAO Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Service 1993). It has been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands (Yamamoto 1992, Nico 2020) and Japan in Okinawajima and Ishigakijima Islands, Ryukyu Archipelago (Masuda et al. 1984, Nakabo 2002). It has possibly been introduced to the Philippines (Cui and Zhao 2012), but it has not been recorded in recent years and its origin is still uncertain (Santos et al. 2015).

The population size and trend are not known.

This species is usually found in lentic waters, sometimes slow streams, with abundant aquatic grasses. It occurs in streams, ponds, ditches, and reservoirs. It prefers deeper pools and tends to hide under thick mats of vegetation. It is nocturnal, feeding on small fishes, crustaceans, and insects (Man and Hodgkiss 1981).

There are no known widespread threats that significantly impact the global population of this species.

This species is utilized in fisheries and introduced for aquaculture.

Further study on the current natural population status is recommended.