ðeɪ ɑːɹ wˈaɪdspɹɛd ɪn tɹˈɑːpɪkəl ˈæfɹɪkə, bˌʌt ɑːɹ mˈoʊst kˈɑːmən ɪn stɹˈiːmz æt hˈaɪ ˌɛlɪvˈeɪʃənz; mˈoʊst spˈiːsiːz ɑːɹ ˈeɪbəl tə klˈɪŋ tə ɹˈɑːks ɪn fˈæstflˈoʊɪŋ stɹˈiːmz.
They are widespread in tropical Africa, but are most common in streams at high elevations; most species are able to cling to rocks in fast-flowing streams.