Growth and carapace mineralization of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles, (0.01-0.5 g) were investigated under conditions of different water hardness from 9 to 326 mg l-1 CaCO3. Growth was maximal at < 53 mg l-1 CaCO3, did not change significantly at lower hardness levels but declined at higher levels. Survival was impaired at the highest hardness levels tested. Greater deposition of calcium in the carapace occurred in low-hardness water and the lower levels of calcium found in cast carapaces from these prawns indicated greater withdrawal of calcium from the carapace before moulting.