Tiete Tetra

Brycon insignis is endemic to Brazil, where it was originally found in the drainages of the Paraíba do Sul, Itabapoana and Itapemirim rivers. Historically, this fish was found in the Grande River system, which drains into Guanabara Bay, Imbé River, which runs into Feia Lagoon, the Macaé River, the São João River, and the Itabapoana River, all separate river systems close to the drainage of the Paraíba do Sul. There have been no records from the Macaé in recent years, and it is likely extinct in the Grande, not having been recorded since the early 20th century. No wild populations have been found in the sections of the Paraíba do Sul within São Paulo. However, fish have been captured in the Paraibuna reservoir, probably introduced in a restocking effort. In Espírito Santo this species occurs only in the Itapemirim. This is a benthopelagic species.

Brycon insignis belongs to the genus Brycon. This name is derived from the Greek brýchō (βρύχω), which means "to bite", "gnash teeth" or "eat greedily", thought to be an allusion to the fully toothed maxillae of the type species, B. falcatus. The specific name, insignis, is Latin and means "remarkable" or "notable". Steindachner did not explain this name, but he did note in his description that this species was notable among its then known congeners in the thin and well spaced teeth, with the second row of teeth adjacent ro the symphysis of the dentary, then thought to be a feature of fishes in the genus Brycon, being frequently absent.