There are records at 70 m in the Lakekamu Basin and it has been recorded from up to 4,300 m (Sam and Koane 2013). It is uncommon below 600 m and is most common at the highest altitudes (Coates 1985, Beehler et al. 1986, Callaghan and Green 1993, J. Hornbuckle in litt 1999, Beehler and Pratt 2016). It breeds beside fast-flowing rivers and streams and alpine lakes, and has also been recorded on slow-flowing rivers (Coates 1985, Callaghan and Green 1993). The species uses small tributary streams as well as main river channels, a factor which may contribute to its perceived rarity. It is not sociable, and one rarely encounters anything beside single adults or pairs (B. Beehler in litt. 2007, Pratt & Beehler 2015). Breeding territories are variable in size owing to local conditions, for instance pairs have been found to occupy 1,600 m of stream on the Baiyer River (Kear 1975) but only 160 m on the Ok Menga River (Bell 1969).  It lays clutches of two to four eggs alongside rivers or lakes in the dry season (Kear 1975). It is omnivorous, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles and plants by dabbling and diving (Kear 1975, Coates 1985, Pratt & Beehler 2015). The species has been observed using an ephemeral lake at 1,650 m in the Foja Mts of western New Guinea (B. Beehler in litt. 2012), indicating that it can cross expanses of closed forest in search of suitable habitat, and it is likely to disperse between watersheds (G. Dutson in litt. 2012).

Salvadorina waigiuensis is endemic to the mountains of New Guinea (Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). It occurs across the island in suitable montane habitat.

Conservation Actions Underway
This species is protected by law in Papua New Guinea (Callaghan and Green 1993). It is known to be fairly common within the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area where it has been a focus of specific study (Straus 2006).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys at locations across the range to determine population densities and to estimate the population size. Survey areas with varying human population pressure and other factors, such as those upstream and downstream of hydroelectric, mining and logging activities and those with high numbers of trout. Research ecology on both lakes and rivers. Assess hunting pressure through discussion with local hunters. Assess scale of other threats.

Address hunting through public awareness programmes.