The specific name, kikuzatoi, is in honor of Kiyotasu Kikuzato, who collected the holotype.

[1][2] O. kikuzatoi is aquatic, inhabiting flowing streams in the northern and southern hilly regions of the island.

Habitats between the two localities have been completely converted to agricultural land.

[1] This species, O. kikuzatoi, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN under criterion B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v), due to threats from capturing as bycatch, water pollution, and predation from introduced species, primarily Lithobates catesbeianus, commonly known as the American bullfrog.

Specimens have been observed with minor abnormalities (asymmetrical scales on the head) not recorded in the past.