This species is known from the proximity of fast-flowing small streams in primary lowland tropical moist forest. It has not been recorded outside of primary forest. It has a naturally fragmented habitat (Guiana Shield Red List Assessment Workshop 2017). Males show a strong preference for shrubs and trees as resting or calling sites. Males exhibit high site fidelity, usually only moving 1–5 m (Himmel 2013). While males are known to be stream-dwellers, females are rarely encountered near streams and hence it is assumed that they spend most of the time away from lotic water and only migrate to the creeks for reproduction (Lötters 1996). Embryonic and larval development occurs in water.

This species is known from the entire part of northern French Guiana, up to 300 m asl. It possibly ranges into adjacent Amapá State in Brazil, but so far there are no confirmed records from there. From genetic, morphological and bioacoustics analyses, previous records of Atelopus barbotini and A. franciscus have now been assigned to this species (Lotters et al. 2011).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is found in Trésor Regional Natural Reserve, Matoury Nature Reserve, Kaw Nature Reserve, Parc Amazonien de Guyane National Park, Trinité Natural Reserve and Nouragues Natural Reserve (Guiana Shield Red List Assessment Workshop 2017). Monitoring programmes have been established at Mont Grand Matoury (since 2013) and Trésor Natural Reserve (E. Courtois pers. comm. 2017).

Conservation Needed
Educational awareness is needed for tourists visiting the national parks concerning this species and the risks of chytridiomycosis (Guiana Shield Red List Assessment Workshop 2017).

Research Needed
Continued population monitoring is required, especially considering the threat of chytridiomycosis.