This species only occurs in the northern extent of Dongting Lake, China. It has an area of occupancy of approximately 8-11.5 km² and an extent of occurrence of 12 km². Given the significant impact of sand dredging, which reduces the number of mussels that the species depends on for breeding, only one threat-based location is quantified, whilst a continuing decline in habitat quality and mature individuals is inferred. As such, this species is assessed as Critically Endangered and requires immediate protection and research.

This species is only known from Dongting Lake, near Yueyang City, Hunan Province, China. It was previously found in the entire lake, but will now only survive where mussels are still present, with the extant population restricted to an extent of about 10-12 km² at the lake's northern most distribution.

There have only been several specimens in recent years, but it was previously considered to be abundant (Fan Li pers. comm. 2024). There has been population decline and individuals are likely to have disappeared as a result of declines from the mussel populations which the species depends on (as a result of sand dredging). This is thought to have been the case over the last 10 years. Now, the species is only known to survive in the northern part of the lake.

This species occurs in a single, large lake. It is highly dependent on local mussel populations for fertilisation. In the dry season, the lake remains mostly dry.

Sand dredging (which impacts mussels) is the biggest threat to this species. Pollution (industrial, domestic, agricultural) also impacts the habitat negatively.

Species use and trade is unknown, but it may be caught as bycatch from food fishing in lake.

The Yangtze Basin fishing moratorium implemented in 2021 is likely to limit bycatch. Policy is planned to limit/prevent sand dredging, but this may take time to implement. This is not yet a protected species, but listing as a nationally protected fish is recommended. Research is required on its reproductive biology to identify the host mussel.