Butterfly Barbs are endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa, where they have been recorded in major parts of the Congo River drainage system within the great area of equatorial rainforest situated east and south of the main river channel. Butterfly Barbs inhabit slow-moving, shaded, shallow rainforest swamps and streams with dense vegetation. The water is typically stained a brown colour due to the release of chemicals and tannins released by decomposing plant matter, and the substrate is covered with fallen leaves, branches and twigs. These environments contain very soft, acidic, cool water and are often dimly lit due to the rainforest canopy overhead.