The effect of temperature on stability of nitrogen removal efficiency was investigated in an ANANMMOX reactor by measuring the nitrogen removal rate. The results showed that the nitrogen removal rate changed between 1.51 kg x (m3 x d)(-1) and 1.84 kg x (m3 x d)(-1) when the temperature was between 26 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Compared with gradually degrading temperature (nitrogen removal rate variation of amplitude 9.03%), the ladder degrading temperature was more advantageous on the stability of nitrogen removal efficiency. Nitrogen removal rate variation of amplitude was 4.35%. The nitrogen removal rate dropped quickly, when the temperature was below 20 degrees C. Moreover, a large number of NO2(-) -N accumulated in the ANAMMOX process, when temperature is below 15 degrees C in the reactor. A strong relationship between temperature and nitrogen removal rate was found, when the temperature was below 20 degrees C. Based on the effect of temperature on nitrogen removal rate, the strategy about temperature control was proposed to achieve the fast start-up and high efficiency of nitrogen removal under low temperature for the ANANMMOX reactors.