Abstract: Early life history of Helice tridens latimera was observed in the laboratory conditions through observing the larval metamorphosis and salinity optimization for the larvae. Larval development consisted of 5 zoeal and 1 megalopal stages before they molted to the first crab stage. Hundred percent survival rate of zoea I-V and megalopa at water salinity of 30 and 20 ppt, respectively, suggest that larvae of H. tridens latimera pass a free swimming life in the offshore waters and recruit to the brackish water at the megalopal stage, and spend almost all of their life in the mangrove area.