This species is semiterrestrial and inhabits the banks of hillstreams, but can also be found in places far away from running water, such as moist areas were groundwater seeps through the soil, generally in secondary evergreen broadleaf forests.

[3] Although it has been known to tolerate certain amounts of pollution, such as plastic trash, it is not abundant in modified landscapes and in or close to densely populated human settlements, there is, however, anecdotal evidence of single crabs in schools and residential areas.

[1] As of 2008, N. hongkongense is assessed to be "Least Concern" by the IUCN,[1] Major threats to the species include habitat destruction and pollution.

Researchers reckon that there may exist several isolated sub-populations due to habitat fragmentation, since many natural water courses have been piped or channelized in their downstream sections.

The close proximity of habitats with large cities and the expected growth of them may put pressure on existing populations in the future.