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Among 67 psychrotrophic bacterial isolates of Leh, India screened for production of hydrolytic enzymes at 10 degreesC, four belonging to Aeromonas hydrophila were characterized and evaluated for biodegradation of night soil. All strains produced metalloproteases on a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. Strains LA1 and LA15 also produced alpha -amylase and PC5 both alpha- & beta -amylase. No amylase was produced by PN7, however it produced lipase. Casein and glucose induced maximum enzyme activity (protease and amylase) in LA15 and PC5, respectively. In LA1, maximum induction of protease was observed with casein and of amylase with maltose. Corn oil/tributyrin served as the best inducers for protease and lipase production by PN7. A. hydrophila strains were found to be psychrotrophic with optimum growth and enzyme activity at 20 and 37 degreesC, respectively. Maximum biodegradation of night soil was observed by strain LA1 at 5-20 degreesC.