Type locality of the holotype of Pachypanchax varatraza: 'Mahazava Creek at village of the same name (Ref. 57724). Known from Menambery, Fanambana and Ampanobe river basins in northeastern Madagascar. It has been extirpated from the lower reaches of these basins by an exotic predator, Channa maculata (Ref. 57724). Based on the criteria set by the World Conservation Union, this species is classified as a species of special concern, whose status needs to be monitored on a regular basis (Ref. 57724).