Complete larval history of Macrobrachium idella (Hilgendorf) is traced by rearing them in the laboratory. They pass through 10 well defined zoeal stages before metamorphosing into the first post-larva in an average period of 42 days. Behaviour of larvae in different physical and chemical conditions of water and the rearing and feeding techniques followed are described. Better rearing conditions are observed in water having salinity between 12%o to 18%o when temperature is between 23°C and 28°C.