Nitrifier consortium immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol was used for the removal of ammonia nitrogen from synthetic aquaculture water in the airlift bioreactor. At the aeration rate of 0.15 vvm and bead packing volume fraction of 20%, airlift bioreactor was operated effectively for a removal of ammonia nitrogen and for a stability of operation. Ammonia nitrogen removal rate by airlift bioreactor was continuously increased with decreasing hydraulic residence time. At the HRT(hydraulic residence time) of 0.3 hour, ammonia nitrogen removal rate was 84.3 g/㎥·d and the highest ammonia nitrogen removal rate was 130.8 g/㎥·d when HRT was 0.1 hour.