[1][2][3] It is endemic to south-western Cameroon where it is known only from between Yabassi and Nkongsamba, from Mount Yuhan in the Korup National Park, and from Mount Nta Ali in the Mamfe basin.

Tadpoles in Gosner stage 25 measure 45–74 mm (1.8–2.9 in) in total length.

[4] Astylosternus fallax lives and breeds in and near rivers and slow-flowing streams in lowland and hilly closed-canopy forests, mostly below 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

Males call from amidst dead leaves on the river banks near water.

However, within its very small range it is severely threatened by habitat loss, which is primarily driven by human settlement and agricultural encroachment.