Rio Salgado flows through the semi-arid Caatinga region of Ceará State in northeastern Brazil, serving as a major tributary of the Rio Jaguaribe. This river drains a biologically significant basin that ranks among the most species-rich freshwater systems in Ceará, hosting 39 documented fish species — the second highest species richness of any basin in the state. The river passes through municipalities including Icó and Lavras da Mangabeira, winding through the characteristic dry scrubland and rocky terrain of the northeastern Brazilian interior. The Salgado basin has been identified as a high biological priority area for fish conservation in the semi-arid Caatinga, owing to its exceptional phyletic diversity, documented endemism, and the presence of rare and specialized species. The river's sub-drainage includes tributaries such as the Rio Lima Campos and the Riacho Machado, each contributing to the overall ecological complexity of the system.