Type locality of Mistichthys luzonensis Lake Buhi, Luzon Island, USNM 50303-04 (syntypes) (Ref. 97102). Originally found in Lake Buhi, Camarines Sur, the pygmy goby was exceedingly abundant until 1960 after which it declined and faced extinction in 1978. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus), grunt or ayungin (Therapon sp.), snakehead (Ophicephalus striatus), and possibly the goby (Glossogobius sp.) introduced in the lake and feeding on this species contributed to the decline of the population. Collected a specimen for the living fish museum (Ref. 81820). The only viable stock is found in Lake Manapao (Camarines Sur Province), now declared as a sanctuary for this vulnerable species. Also used as an aquarium species (Ref. 12157). Also Ref. 12550, 94476.