The caridean prawn is distributed South East India, New Caledonia, Gavataks and Tuamotu Island.

In India, it is reported from freshwater lakes of Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu.

M. nobilii also has been reported from the river Cauvery in between Mettur Dam and Poomphuhar Estuary.

M. nobilii is characterized by its prominent or elongated second pair of chelate appendage in which the carpus is distinctly large than the merus.

On completion of the larval development the juveniles actively migrate to the freshwater grounds.