The Redlips Darter is found in the Cumberland River Drainage in north-central Tennessee and south-central Kentucky where populations are heavily fragmented due to reservoir construction. They live in slow-moving large creeks and rivers in pools along the banks strewn with boulders and woody debris. As the common name suggests, Redlips Darters have red coloring on their lips. They also have a greatly enlarged second dorsal fin as well as oblique dusky bars along their side.