Macrobrachium nipponense, like many Macrobrachium species within the Caridea family Palaemonidae, features well-developed elongated second pair of pereiopods. The coloration of Macrobrachium nipponense varies from nearly transparent to greenish or reddish-brown. Identifying characteristics of M. nipponense include a rostrum that extends to, or slightly beyond, the distal end of the flattened plate on the second antennal joint (scaphocerite). The rostrum has dorsal teeth (9-13) that are subequally spaced. The first pair of walking limbs (pereiopods) is equipped with hinged, pincer-like claws (chela) that are half the length of the carpus. The second pair of pereiopods is elongated and structurally identical to each other, distinguishing M. nipponense from other Macrobrachium species. In males, the length of the second pereiopod is 1.1-1.3 times the total body length, while in females, it is 0.6-0.7 times the body length. The claws of M. nipponense are covered with short, dense hairs (setae) along the cutting margin and surrounding structures .