Nannocharax hadros, new species, is described from the Kalule Nord River, a right bank affluent of the Upper Lualaba in the Upper Congo basin (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a completely pored lateral line, a dorsal fin originating well behind the pelvic-fin insertion, bright red coloured lips in life, and the absence of a round black spot on the adipose fin. The new species is most similar to N. procatopus but differs from it by its higher number of pectoral-fin rays, a deeper body at the anal-fin origin, and narrower internostril distance. Furthermore, with a maximum size of 99.5 mm total length, N. hadros is the largest species of the genus. Its distribution seems to be limited to the Lower Kalule Nord River. The main course of the river is not fully protected as it constitutes a major part of the Southern border of the Upemba National Park (UNP), rather than being a fully integrated part of the park, rendering the river and the new species more vulnerable to all kinds of anthropogenic impacts compared to the rivers and fish located entirely within the UNP. The problem of fish conservation in the Kalule Nord River is thus highlighted.