Schismatoglottis prietoi is a native plant from the Philippines and was first discovered on the island of Cebu. It was scientifically documented and named by the plant collector Esquerion Prieto in 2015. There are already a few plants suitable for aquariums from riverbanks and rivers among the many Schismatoglottis species, however, S. prietoi is so far the only species that is truly aquatic also in nature.

It grows in large areas in sandy to gravelly rivers with fine roots and runners, which are comparable to Cryptocoryne species. Its small, elliptical, glossy leaves resemble those of Anubias Petite but are less green, and the plant also grows faster than this Anubias.