It is endemic to Ecuador and found on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Pastaza and Morona-Santiago Provinces.

It is similar to Hyloxalus whymperi but lacks heavy darkening on the abdomen of males.

[6][5] Students of South American frogs named this frog exasperatus for feelings of frustration and exasperation while waiting fifteen years for scientist Stephen R. Edwards to finish writing his reassessment of the genus Colostethus.

[1] Scientists found some of these frogs in one protected park: Bosque Protector Cordillera Kutuku-Shaimi.

[1] It is threatened by habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural expansion, logging, and gold and copper mining.