This study compared the adsorption characteristics of heavy metal ions by crab shell, treated crab shell with 2N-HCl, treated crab shell with 4%-NaOH, chitin and chitosan.Using crushed crab shell, the heavy metal ions removal rates of $Cd^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ were about 70-80% in 45minutes, but the removal rates of $Cu^{2+}$, $Cr^{6+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ was less than 10%, 10% and 30%, respectively. For the by-products crab shell by 2N-HCl treatment, it was shown that the removal rates of $Cu^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ were about 70-80% in 45minutes reaction. But, some problems were observed, that the contained protein in crab shell was changed into gel in the mixing solution after a few hours. For the by-products of crab shell by 4%-NaOH treatment, the removal rates of Pb and Zn were about 90% in 45 minutes, and those of capacity of chitin and chitosan powder was better than those of the other by-products. The more adding to the adsorbent dosages increased the removal rates, and the adsorption reaction was rapidly occurred in a few minute. Using 1.0 wt% chitin powder, the heavy metal removal rates were ordered $Cu^{2+}$(94%) > $Zn^{2+}$(89%) > $Cd^{2+}$(88%) > $Pb^{2+}$(77%) > $Cr^{6+}$(58%) in 45 minutes. Using 1.0 wt% chitosan powder, the heavy metal removal rates were ordered $Cu^{2+}$(99%) > $Pb^{2+}$(96%) > $Cd^{2+}$(79%) > $Zn^{2+}$(71%) > $Cr${6+}$(46%) in 45minutes. The degree of degree of deacetylation by prepared chitosan was 91%.The Freundlich adsorption isotherm of $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ and <TEx>$</TEX>Zn^{2+}$</TEX>, when it was applied to 1.0 wt% chitosan powder in minutes, can be acceptable very strictly. The equation constant (1/n) for $Cu^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ and <TEx>$Zn^{2+}$</TEX> were 0.54 0.41 and 0.23 respectively.