Philautus tectus is a variable bush frog with green, brown, and red colors. Also, it has different day (dark) and night (light) colorations. Some individuals have yellow stripe on the dorsum along the spine. It is a small species. Males are 20–23 mm, females up to 27 mm in snout-vent length. 

This little frog inhabits lowland primary forests. Once acquainted with the call of this species, one is likely to hear them in many places, especially along forest edges (streams, roads, trails) where the canopy opens up a bit and fern grows. The frog itself, however, is easily overlooked because of its small size and camouflage color. 

The species differs from other Philautus by a combination of: size, green coloration, red tubercles, long snout, sharp edge from eye to snout, narrow nose.

The call is difficult to describe onomatopoetically. It is a pleasant, high pitched, fast "wee-wib".

We found terrestrial clutches of P. tectus and confirmed it to be a direct developer.