Hypersaline wastewater (i.e. wastewater containing more than 35 g l(-1) total dissolved solids (TDS)) is generated by various industrial activities. This wastewater, rich in both organic matter and TDS, is difficult to treat using conventional biological wastewater treatment processes. Among the industries generating hypersaline effluents, tanneries are prominent in India. In this study, tannery wastewater from soak pit was treated in a lab-scale SBR for the removal of organic matter. The characterisation of the soak liquor showed that this effluent is biodegradable, though not easily, and highly variable, depending on the origin and the nature of the hides. TDS was in the range of 21-57 g l(-1) and COD was in the range of 1.5-3.6 gl(-1). This soak liquor was biologically treated in an aerobic sequencing batch reactor seeded with halophilic bacteria, and the performance of the system was evaluated under different operating conditions with changes in hydraulic retention time, organic loading rate and salt concentration. The changes in salinity appeared to affect the removal of organic matter more than the changes in hydraulic retention time or organic loading rate. Despite the variations in the characteristics of the soak liquor, the reactor achieved proper removal of organic matter, once the acclimation of the microorganisms was achieved. Optimum removal efficiencies of 95%, 93%, 96% PO43- and 92% on COD, PO43-, TKN and SS, respectively, could be reached with 5 days hydraulic retention time (HRT), an organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.6 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) and 34 g NaCl l(-1). The organisms responsible for nitrogen removal appeared to be the most sensitive to the modifications of these parameters. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.