Newly settled spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) exhibited reduced survival and growth when exposed to chronic chlorination (as Na-OCl). Spat exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.250 and 0.500 mg per 1 chlorine-produced oxidant (CPO) had only 20% survival after 12 weeks, compared to 64% survival in controls. Spat growth was retarded by nominal concentrations as low as 0.125 mg per 1 CPO grew 39% and spat exposed to 0.250 mg per 1 CPO had no net growth. Surviving spat exposed to 0.500 mg per 1 CPO showed an apparent growth increase of 160%, due mainly to heavy mortality among smaller-sized spat. The numbers of spat (whether surviving or not) that showed any growth over the 12-week exposure period decreased with increasing chlorine concentration. Larger spat were found to be more resistant than smaller spat to increased chlorination. The mechanism of growth inhibition in spat (mantle retraction and cessation of feeding) appeared to be similar to that found in adult oysters exposed to chlorine.