Its name refers to its type locality, Tiantai.

[2] It is endemic to eastern China and is only known from Zhejiang and south-eastern Anhui provinces.

[3] Their natural habitats are open, low-gradient large streams and small rivers at elevations of 100–700 m (330–2,300 ft) above sea level.

They sometimes also occur in still-water pools close to streams.

This uncommon species is threatened by habitat loss.