They are a fairly common species; however, their range is limited to clear, cool streams of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The tangerine darter is found throughout mountainous regions of the upper Tennessee River drainage. It resides in smaller rivers and is most common in the Emory, Hiwassee, Little, Little Pigeon, and Tellico rivers. It is found in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and western North Carolina, and Virginia. In Georgia and North Carolina, it is listed as a historic species in need of management.