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<i>Pseudopungtungia nigra</i> is an endangered fish species endemic to South Korea with a narrow habitat range in the Geum River basin. Understanding their long-term distribution (25 years, 1997–2021) and breeding characteristics can contribute to the conservation and habitat management of endangered species in this area. We analyzed long-term data on environmental factors and fish in the Geum River and investigated the invading and spawning characteristics of <i>P. nigra</i> using underwater cameras. From the study results, <i>P. nigra</i> indicated no clear dispersion or decline trend in the Geum River. <i>P. nigra</i> exhibits brood parasitic behavior in the nest of <i>Coreoperca herzi</i>, another species found in the same region. <i>C. herzi</i> males protect their nests during the spawning period, and the eggs spawned by <i>P. nigra</i> in the nests of <i>C. herzi</i> are also protected by <i>C. herzi</i>. This high dependency of <i>P. nigra</i> on <i>C. herzi</i> possibly contributed to its distribution range in the Geum River basin. Habitat changes caused by anthropogenic interventions during the study period did not significantly affect the distribution of <i>P. nigra</i>. The results indicate that the distribution pattern of <i>P. nigra</i> is influenced by the distribution of sympatric fish species rather than environmental changes.