The natural habitats of A. flaviijosephi are streams, springs, canals, pools and shallow waters in lakes,[1][2] especially in areas with stones or aquatic vegetation.[3][4] The various subpopulations are isolated from each other, with some being lacustrine and others essentially riverine.[1] The water temperature in its range vary quite significantly with season, at least from 14 to 28.5 °C (57–83.5 °F),[5] but aquarium studies have shown that A. flaviijosephi are almost completely inactive at the lowermost range.[8]