This species inhabits cool mountain streams and rivers in montane rainforest where it also breeds and the larvae develop. With its highly specific torrent-dwelling larval habitat requirements, it is limited to montane habitats (and lowlands near mountains) with high gradient stream flow (Sanguila et al. 2016). It is generally restricted to undisturbed or minimally disturbed habitats (Delima et al. 2006). Adults have generally been collected in splash zones near rapids or waterfalls, though they have also been found on the ground among leaf-litter away from water, especially after a period of rainfall (Sanguila et al. 2016).

This species is found in the mountains of Mindanao and Dinagat Islands, in the Philippines, between 700–2,200 m asl. It is expected to occur more widely (A. Diesmos pers. comm. March 2018).

Conservation Actions
This species is known from several protected areas, including Mount Malindang National Park.

Conservation Needed
Conservation measures must include the regulation and proper disposal of pesticides and herbicides, and the protection of the remaining rainforest, especially high-elevation riverine habitats and gallery forests, on Mindanao. To preserve genetic diversity, protection of habitat in all five areas of genetic endemism across the species' range will be required (Sanguila et al. 2011).

Research Needed
The taxonomic status of this species requires further study to determine if this is a complex of more than one species (Diesmos et al. 2014), which will allow species boundaries of this widespread species complex to be defined (Sanguila et al. 2011). More information is also needed on this species' distribution, population status and ecology.