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Oxygen consumption of animals is affected by a number of factors causing environmental stress. The chemical pollutants are one of the important factors affecting the rate of oxygen consumption. Freshwater crabs Paratelphusa hydrodromus were exposed to 0.5 ppm to 5 ppm concentration of te pesticide for 24 h. The respiratory metabolism was markedly affected by the contamination of the medium by monocrotophos. The results showed gradual increase in oxygen consumption of P. hydrodromus in concentration ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 ppm and gradual decrease at higher concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 ppm. The change in oxygen consumption of the crabs could be related to the interference respiratory enzymes. The internal poisoning consequent stress factors impaired the respiratory rate. Possible factors have been discussed in detail.