The visual characteristics are similar to other Stiphodon species with which it shares habitat, making identification difficult without detailed anatomical study or genetic testing.

The male's first dorsal fin lacks elongation and a fibrous texture, but features a distinctive narrow red border, enhancing its visual appeal to other fish and playing a critical role during social interactions.

[12] This progression is especially pronounced in males, as the intense coloration gained in adulthood plays a vital role in their social interactions and reproductive success.

[13] S. atropurpureus is found in a variety of locations across Asia, including the Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.

[14][9][15][16][8] These gobies prefer the clear and oxygen-rich waters of faster streams, which provide not only the necessary environmental conditions for their survival, but also the substrates essential for their feeding habits.

[8] Research efforts are generally localized, focusing on small-scale stream surveys, which do not provide a complete picture of their overall distribution.

S. atropurpureus undergoes a complex life cycle that is amphidromous (including migration from fresh water to the sea, or vice versa, but not for the purpose of breeding).

These fins form a suction disc that enables the young gobies to cling to rocks and other surfaces, helping them to swim against the current and navigate back to their natal streams.