It is endemic to Peru and only known from the Yanachaga–Chemillén National Park, its type locality in the Pasco Region.

[1][3] The specific name barbatula is the diminutive of the Latin barbatus, meaning "bearded".

The dorsum and venter of preserved specimens are uniform brown and lack pattern; the color of live individuals is not known.

[2] Ctenophryne barbatula inhabits forested areas at around 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level.

Its diet consists of various arthropods; the composition suggests that it is a leaf litter frog.