It is known from its type locality on the Cordillera de Carpish, Huánuco, and from near Juanjuí in the San Martín Region.

[1][3] It lacks eardrums, and at a cursory glance it resembles leptodactylid frogs of the genus Phrynopus, in which it was initially placed.

Dorsal skin is smooth in females but finely areolate in males.

[2] Natural habitat of Ctenophryne carpish is cloud forest at elevations of 2,750–2,960 m (9,020–9,710 ft) above sea level.

It is threatened by habitat destruction caused by agricultural expansion and firewood collection.