The valves are extremely thin and transparent, lacking sculpturing but with hyaline borders at both ends. The biramous antennae have rudimentary exopodites, with the endopodite consisting of three segments. The basal portion of the antennae has a long seta on the first segment and two setae on the second segment, with natatory setae on the upper end of the second segment. The third segment bears setae and stout spines. The masticatory process of the maxilla has six equal setae. Leg 2 is uniramous, consisting of four segments and a long claw, with thin setae present on each segment. Leg 3 is long and cylindrical, with three setae at the distal end, one beak-like seta, one reflexed seta, and a short simple seta. The abdomen has a pair of caudal furca, each of which is equal in length and bears a stout claw, with dorsal and terminal setae present. The organism is transparent whitish in color, with a length of about 0.66 mm. Eggs typically hatch within a few days to several months. The liberated nauplius larva possesses three pairs of appendages: antennules, antennae, and mandibles. The life history consists of eight moults and eight additional instars, with the adult representing the ninth instar. More appendages and structural complexity develop with each successive moult, with caudal rami first appearing as minute bristles at the fourth instar and the copulatory organ developing at the eighth instar. Sexual maturity is attained at the ninth instar.