This species inhabits forest where it breeds in mountain streams. Individuals hide under rocks and rotten leaves in the stream during the day and crouch on the bank at night (Fei et al. 2012). Breeding season may be from late April to mid-June (Fei et al. 2012). Eggs are laid on the bottom of the rocks in streams, and tadpoles hide among the stones in the daytime and swim on the water at night (Fei et al. 2012).

This species was previously only known from Liupanshan, in Jinyuan County, Ningxia Huizu Zizhiqu Autonomous Region, China, between 1,900–2,500 m asl. It is now known from Liupanshan Mountains, in Jinyuan County and Longde County, Ningxia Huizu Zizhiqu Autonomous Region, and Zhuanglang, Gansu Province, China, between 1,900–2,500 m asl (P. P. Li pers. comm. June 2019). It occurs in five or fewer threat-defined locations, and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 2,359 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
Much of the range of this species lies within the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve. 

Conservation Needed
Conservation breeding is recommended to restore its population (F. Xie pers. comm. June 2019).

Research Needed
There is a need for close population monitoring of this species given its very limited range (F. Xie pers. comm. June 2019).