[4] M. lohena grows to lengths of 18 mm and are pale pink to vibrant red in colour.

[4] M. lohena larvae lack a yolk sack, which suggests the species possess a planktotrophic larval feeding phase.

They live in anchialine pools,[2] which are landlocked bodies of water with underground connections to the ocean.

Shrimp can be found naturally living at salinities ranging from 2 to 36 ppt and water temperatures at around 20 °C (68 °F) or higher.

[2] Hawaiian populations of M. lohena coexist alongside their prey species ʻōpaeʻula shrimp (Halocaridina rubra)[2] with their known range entirely overlapping.