Holdup characteristics of small bubbles were investigated in a viscous slurry bubble column. The phase holdup of small bubbles was obtained from the knowledge of total bubble(gas) holdup and large bubble holdup, which were measured by mean of static pressure drop method and dual resistivity probe method, respectively. Effects of gas velocity, viscosity of continuous liquid phase and solid fraction in the slurry phase on the small bubble holdup as well as holdups of total bubble(gas) and large bubble in a viscous slurry bubble column. The small bubble holdup increased with increasing gas velocity but decreased with increasing liquid viscosity or solid fraction in the slurry phase. In addition the fraction of small bubble in the total bubble(gas) holdup increased with increasing gas velocity but decreased with increasing liquid viscosity or solid fraction in the slurry phase. It was revealed that the rising velocity of large bubble did not related to the holdup of small bubble in a viscous slurry bubble column.