It is endemic to the Xingu River basin in Brazil and as such prefers clear waters with rocky bottoms.

[1] The fish is named in honor of King Leopold III (1901–1983) of Belgium, who sponsored many scientific studies at the Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique.

[7][8] Compared to P. albimaculata, P. leopoldi has fewer and larger yellowish-white spots above.

[9] On the other hand, rays' jaw shape, stiffness, and mineralization are strengthened with age, which allows mature rays the ability to consume hard-shelled invertebrates.

[10] These changes in traits with maturation reflect the different pressures rays experience in terms of functions such as feeding and avoiding predation during different maturity stages.