[1] This species is native to Bolivia, Brazil and Peru where it occurs in the upper Amazon basin, including the Ucayali, Purus, and Mamoré River drainages.

[1] P. cryptodon inhabits sandy substrates in the main streams of large rivers.

[1] Planiloricaria cryptodon reaches a length of 21.5 centimetres (8.5 in) SL.

[2] Although reproductive habits are unknown, this species is probably a lip brooder.

[1] This species shows derived features such as a reduction in size and number of teeth, premaxillary teeth absent, a circular head shape, and eyes reduced in size without iris operculum.