[1][2] They are found in sub-Saharan tropical Africa[1] and are sometimes known under common name African torrent frogs.

[3] They are inhabitants of the splash-water zone of clear-running streams predominantly in forests.

[4] However, they are now commonly treated as a family,[1][2][4][5] although the genera included may differ between sources.

In particular, Conraua is sometimes included in the Petropedetidae,[5] instead of forming its own monogeneric family Conrauidae.

[1][2][5] The two genera in the family are:[1][2] Recognition of Arthroleptides as a genus separate from Petropedetes is relatively recent.