It lives in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia. In Colombia it is found in the Amazon Basins and in the Orinoco Basin. In the Orinoco, Tomo, Bita, Inírida, Vichada and the Amazon rivers.
It is peaceful and quiet. Fish of school, must be in a group of at least 12 copies to feel protected. Sometimes they are shy and scary. At night they camouflage themselves between the decoration of the aquarium and make their coloration pale to go unnoticed.