They occur in the rainforests of Western and Central Africa, from Ivory Coast to Congo.

The only significant morphological difference between then is the wider relative head width in males of A. sonjae compared to A. spinosus.

Males and females are similar in size, but males have a pair of elongate gular glands, larger discs on toes and fingers, and a large number of tarsal spines.

Acanthixalus have been found in a variety of wooded habitats: secondary and primary forests, both dry and swampy, as well as from a cacao plantation; the main habitat requirement is the presence of large, water-filled cavities.

[4] While A. spinosus tadpoles are detritivores,[2] those of A. sonjae seem to thrive better with arthropod diet; cannibalism has not been observed.