Tiger Puffer Research Articles

Physiochemical and functional properties of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) skin gelatin as affected by extraction conditions

The study investigated physiochemical and functional properties of gelatins from tiger puffer skin (GTPS) extracted with warm-water method at 45, 55 and 65°C for 3, 6 and 12h. GTPS45 exhibited strong γ-, β-, α1- and α2-chains, but they faded with the presence of fragments (<80KDa) in other GTPS. As the increase of temperature and time, amide I and A were shifted to higher wavenumber and their amplitudes in GTPS65-12 decreased. Lightness declined while redness and yellowness were enhanced. Gel strength was in a range of 144.5–79.8g, where it of GTPS45-3 was the highest while it of GTPS65-12 was the lowest (p<0.05), coincided with the longer relaxation time of T22 for immobilized water. Decline in gelling and melting temperature was observed when temperature and time increased. EAI and ESI increased as time prolonged or temperature climbed (p<0.05), in agreement with the form of emulsion droplet by microscopy. Both category and level of volatile compounds increased GTPS65-12 and 55-12 compared with those in GTPS45-12. Results suggest that temperature and time greatly affect the properties of GTPS. To ensure good properties, GTPS should be extracted at a temperature of 45–55°C for less than 12h.

High concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate in mucus of tiger puffer fish Takifugu rubripes: a laboratory exposure study.

Distribution of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was investigated in tissues (plasma, blood clot, mucus, skin, liver, muscle, and gonad) of tiger puffer fish Takifugu rubripes. A single dose of PFOS was intraperitoneally injected at 0.1mg/kg body weight with samples taken over a 14-day period. The highest concentration of PFOS was found in the plasma, 861ng/mL at 14days, followed by the mucus, liver, blood clot, gonads, muscles, and skin of fish. A gradual upward trend in PFOS concentration was observed in the mucus and liver whereas there was no change in the plasma, blood clot, gonad, muscle, and skin after the initial increase in PFOS concentrations following injection. No significant trend for estimated total PFOS content in whole body was observed during the experimental period. Relatively high concentrations of PFOS (690ng/g ww after 14days) were detected in body surface mucus that continuously oozes from the skin. These results may suggest that mucus is one of the elimination pathways of PFOS in tiger puffer fish.

Effects of acute temperature and salinity changes, body length and starvation on the critical swimming speed of juvenile tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes.

The critical swimming speed (U crit, cms-1) of juvenile tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes was determined under different temperatures (15, 21, 25 and 30°C), salinities (5, 10, 20, 32 and 40), body lengths (3.32, 4.08, 5.06 and 5.74cm) and starvation days (1, 3, 6 and 9days). Acute temperature change, body length and starvation significantly influenced the U crit of tiger puffers, whereas acute salinity change had no significant effect. The U crit increased as the temperature increased from 15 to 30°C. The U crit increased as the body length increased from 3.32 to 5.74cm, whereas relative critical swimming speed (U crit', body lengths-1) decreased. The relationship between the body length (l, cm) and U crit or U crit' can be described by the quadratic model as U crit=-1.4088l 2+16.976l-11.64, R 2=0.9698 (P<0.01) or U crit'=-0.1937l 2+0.9504l+7.7666, R 2=0.9493 (P<0.01). The U crit decreased as starvation days increased from 1 to 9days. Low temperature and starvation can reduce the swimming ability of juvenile tiger puffers. Results can be of value in evaluating the swimming ability of juvenile tiger puffers, understanding ecological processes and improving the population enhancement of tiger puffers.

Lack of in vivo cross-protection of two different betanodavirus species RGNNV and SJNNV in European sea bass Dicentrachus labrax

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is a severe infective disease characterized by neuropathological changes in several fish species associated with high mortality. The etiological agent is a virus belonging to the Nodaviridae family, genus Betanodavirus. To date, four different betanodavirus species have been officially recognized by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), namely the red-spotted grouper- (RGNNV), the striped jack- (SJNNV), the barfin flounder- (BFNNV) and the tiger puffer nervous necrosis virus (TPNNV). Moreover, two reassortants RGNNV/SJNNV and SJNNV/RGNNV have been described.Betanodaviruses can be classified into three different serotypes (A, B and C) that are antigenically different, so none (between serotype A and C) or partial (between serotype B and C) cross-immunoreactivity has been detected in vitro.In this study we investigated the in vivo cross-protection of the two main betanodavirus species (RGNNV and SJNNV), which belong to distinct serotype, by immunizing intraperitoneally (IP) juvenile sea bass with formalin inactivated RGNNV and SJNNV vaccines, followed by a challenge with RGNNV.Fish IP vaccinated with inactivated RGNNV showed a high protection value (85%). Serological analyses highlighted a great specific anti-NNV immunoglobulin M (IgM) production against the homologous virus, while a good seroconversion with low neutralization property was highlighted against the heterologous virus. In fish IP vaccinated with inactivated SJNNV the protection recorded was equal to 25%, significantly lower respect to the one provided by RGNNV IP vaccine. ELISA test detected good IgM production against the homologous virus, and a lower, but still detectable IgM production against the heterologous one. By contrast, serum neutralization test highlighted a poorly detectable antibody production unable to neutralize either the homologous or the heterologous virus.These results confirm that the two serotypes are not cross-protective in vivo. According to these findings, the production of multivalent formulation, or at least the provision of different types of vaccines based on both fish and virus species requirement, should be recommended in order to broaden the range of protection.

Cytogenetic analysis of hybrids and hybrid triploids between the river puffer, Takifugu obscurus , and the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes

Cytogenetic analyses of the river puffer, Takifugu obscurus, the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes and hybrids produced between female T. obscurus and male T. rubripes and their hybrid triploids (produced by cold shock treatment at 4°C) were performed. T. obscurus had 2n = 44 chromosomes and 1.84 ± 0.019 pg DNA/cell, T. rubripes had 2n = 44 and 2.64 ± 0.015, the hybrids had 2n = 44 and 2.15 ± 0.010 and the hybrid triploids had 3n = 66 and 3.22 ± 0.010. The erythrocyte values of the hybrids were more similar to those for T. obscurus, whereas the hepatocyte, midgut and proximal tubule kidney cell values of the hybrids fell down between those for the parental species (p < .05). The erythrocyte, proximal tubule, hepatocyte and midgut epithelial cell sizes for the hybrid triploids were 1.5-fold larger than those for the hybrids (p < .05). The thickness of retina and each layer in the hybrid triploids were 1.1-fold larger than those of the hybrids (p < .05) and did not differ significantly among T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids (p > .05); however, the hybrid triploids had fewer cell nucleus outer layers than the hybrids (p < .05). Gonad development in the hybrids and hybrid triploids was less matured than in T. obscurus and T. rubripes. The metaphase nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) and the gill cells of T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids contained two satellite telocentrics, whereas the hybrid triploids contained three satellite telocentrics.

Production of Tiger Puffer Takifugu rubripes Offspring from Triploid Grass Puffer Takifugu niphobles Parents.

The tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes is one of the most popular aquacultural fish; however, there are two major obstacles to selective breeding. First, they have a long generation time of 2 or 3years until maturation. Second, the parental tiger puffer has a body size (2-5kg) much larger than average market size (0.6-1.0kg). The grass puffer Takifugu niphobles is closely related to the tiger puffer and matures in half the time. Furthermore, grass puffer can be reared in small areas since their maturation weight is about 1/150 that of mature tiger puffer. Therefore, to overcome the obstacles of maturation size and generation time of tiger puffer, we generated surrogate grass puffer that can produce tiger puffer gametes through germ cell transplantation. Approximately 5000 tiger puffer testicular cells were transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of triploid grass puffer larvae at 1day post hatching. When the recipient fish matured, both males and females produced donor-derived gametes. Through their insemination, we successfully produced donor-derived tiger puffer offspring presenting the same body surface dot pattern, number of dorsal fin rays, and DNA fingerprint as those of the donor tiger puffer, suggesting that the recipient grass puffer produced functional eggs and sperm derived from the donor tiger puffer. Although fine tunings are still needed to improve efficiencies, surrogate grass puffer are expected to accelerate the breeding process of tiger puffer because of their short generation time and small body size.

Erratum to: Recovery of gonadal development in tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes after exposure to 17β-estradiol during early life stages

A mistake was found in Section 2.2. The current expression is “In each treatment group, juveniles were exposed to E2 at the set concentration for 2 h once a day from 15 to 100 dph.” The correct version should be “In each treatment group, juveniles were exposed to E2 at the set concentration for 2 h once two days from 15 to 100 dph.”

Circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion and growth-related gene expression in the tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes

Somatostatin (SS) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) are primary factors regulating growth hormone (GH) secretion in the pituitary. To date, it remains unknown how this rhythm is controlled endogenously, although there must be coordination of circadian manners. Melatonin was the main regulator in biological rhythms, and its secretion has fluctuation by photic information. But relationship between melatonin and growth-related genes (ghrh and ss) is unclear. We investigated circadian rhythms of melatonin secretion, ghrh and ss expressions, and correlation between melatonin with growth-related genes in tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes. The melatonin secretion showed nocturnal rhythms under light and dark (LD) conditions. In constant light (LL) condition, melatonin secretion has similar patterns with LD conditions. ss1 mRNA was high during scotophase under LD conditions. But ss1 rhythms disappeared in LL conditions. Ghrh appeared opposite expression compared with melatonin levels or ss1 expression under LD and LL. In the results of the melatonin injection, ghrh and ss1 showed no significant expression compared with control groups. These results suggested that melatonin and growth-related genes have daily or circadian rhythms in the tiger puffer. Further, we need to know mechanisms of each ss and ghrh gene regulation.

Efficacy of feeding tiger pufferTakifugu rubripeson moon jellyfish with respect to nutritional composition and behavioural traits

Although jellyfish blooms are serious nuisances for fisheries and other industries, the utilization and nutritional value of by-catch jellyfish has drawn public attention. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of feeding tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes with moon jellyfish Aurelia sp. using 20-day rearing experiments. Feeding on jellyfish had no positive effect on growth performance, although it significantly reduced neutral lipids and increased proportions of polar lipids, n−3 and n−6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), especially arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids, and taurine. Supplemental feeding on jellyfish plus pellets elevated activity and responsiveness in the fish, with no effect on burst swimming speed or prevention of aggressive biting by siblings. The present research suggests that feeding on jellyfish improves body composition and some behaviours in tiger puffers. As cultured fish tend to accumulate excessive amounts of lipids from lipid-rich pellets that can induce an unhealthy condition, and behavioural deficits of hatchery-reared fish reduce survival after release in the wild, we propose the use of jellyfish as a supplemental diet in the nursery production of tiger puffer. Moreover, feeding on jellyfish can overcome deficiencies in alternative soy-material feeds by supplying phospholipid, HUFAs, or taurine.

Various Characteristics of Hybrid between River Puffer, Takifugu obscurus and Tiger Puffer, T. rubripes, and Their Hybrid Triploid.

ABSTRACTA comparison of the growth, hematological values, fatty acids, and gonadal and growth hormonal changes of river puffer, Takifugu obscurus, tiger puffer, T. rubripes, their hybrids (river puffer × tiger puffer) and hybrid triploids was performed during 3 months of their early growth period. Several features were observed during these 3 months: hybrids showed the highest levels of specific growth rate, 1.48%; hybrid triploids showed the smallest change in viscera fat (P<0.05), but GSI was not significantly different among groups (P>0.05). Considering hematological parameters, hybrid triploids had increased mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P<0.05), but other parameters were not significantly different between groups (P>0.05). With respect to fatty acids, puffer fish, hybrids and hybrid triploids contained fatty acids such as SFAs, MUFAs, n-3 PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs. There were significantly different amounts of total fatty acids between groups (P<0.05), however, rates of changes in fatty acids did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). Gonadal hormone (estradiol and testosterone) changes in the river puffer and tiger puffer were significantly higher than that observed in hybrids and hybrid triploids. The hybrids and tiger puffers had higher amounts of growth hormone (thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroxine) than the hybrid triploids and river puffers (P<0.05).

Transcriptome analysis of tetrodotoxin sensing and tetrodotoxin action in the central nervous system of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes juveniles

To reveal the sensing of tetrodotoxin (TTX) by tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes juveniles and its action in the central nervous system (CNS), we conducted transcriptome analysis using next-generation sequencing for the olfactory system and brain of non-toxic cultured juveniles administered TTX. Sixty-seven million reads from the nasal region (olfactory epithelium and skin) and the brain of each of three individuals of the control, TTX-sensing and TTX-administered juveniles were assembled into 153,958 contigs. Mapping raw reads from each sample onto the nucleotide sequences of predicted transcripts in the T. rubripes genome (FUGU version 4) and the de novo assembled contigs to investigate their frequency of expression revealed that the expression of 21 and 81 known genes significantly changed in TTX-sensing and TTX-administered juveniles in comparison with control juveniles, respectively. These genes included those related to feeding regulation and a reward system, and indicated that TTX ingestion of T. rubripes juveniles is controlled in the feeding center in the brain, that T. rubripes may sense TTX as a reward, and that accumulated TTX directly acts on the central nervous system to adjust TTX ingestion.

Effects of chitosan-oligosaccharides on growth performance, digestive enzyme and intestinal bacterial flora of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripesTemminck et Schlegel, 1850)

Summary The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) levels on digestive enzyme activity, intestinal bacteria flora, and growth performance of the tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes). Some 600 fish (initial body weight 129.2 ± 3.1 g) were randomly allocated into twelve 2,000-L blue cylinder aquaria with 1,500-L of sea water and divided into four groups (n = 3 aquaria/diet). The fish were fed experimental diets supplemented with different levels of COS (0% [control, L1], 0.05% [LC1], 0.1% [LC2], and 0.2% [LC3]) for 8 weeks. During the experiment, the water temperature was 18 ± 1°C, salinity 28 ± 0.1, pH 8.0 ± 0.1 (mean ± SD, n = 672); airstones were positioned at the bottom of the tank, dissolved oxygen content was above 7.0 mg/L, with a photoperiod of 12 hr light: 12 hr dark. The results showed that dietary COS significantly increased growth performance, intestinal-somatic index (ISI), and intestinal protease as well as lipase activity (p .05). High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that COS affected the richness and diversity of intestinal microbial species. The Shannon index of intestinal bacterial flora was significantly higher in the control group than in other groups (p < .05). However, dietary COS supplementation did not alter the phyla species of intestinal bacterial flora. There were significantly more Aliivibrio and Bacillus in LC3 than in other groups, and there were significantly fewer Faecalibacterium, Escherichia, and Bacteroides than in other groups at the genus level (p < .05). It can be concluded that dietary COS can improve the growth performance and intestinal digestive enzyme activity and alter the intestinal bacterial flora in the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes.

Commercial production of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) in winter using a recirculating aquaculture system

Tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) is a promising species for aquaculture production because of its high value and limited supply. However, in the north of China, using sea cages to culture this species in winter is hampered by the fact that the seawater temperature is extremely low. Here, a large scale commercial production of tiger puffer has been successfully realized using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) from 3 October 2012 to 31 May 2013. The RAS was comprised of nine culture tanks (total water volume 200 m3) and stocked with approximately a total of 14400 fish (initial mean weight 160 g). The tiger puffer was hand-fed at a rate of 0.7% of total body weight per day, and the feed conversion rate was (1.21 ± 0.3) kg kg−1. The recycle water in RAS was treated by a sieve bend screen, a foam fractionator, a submerged biofilter, an UV sterilizer and a submersible aerator. During the whole culture period, an excellent water quality control was achieved in RAS. At the end of this experiment, the survival rate of tiger puffer was more than 98%. The final tank densities averaged 31.2 kg m−3, and the final individual mean weight was 440 g.

Effects of water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen on the swimming ability of Japanese pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes juveniles

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 水温、盐度和溶氧对红鳍东方鲀幼鱼游泳能力的影响 DOI: 作者: 作者单位: 大连海洋大学 辽宁省海洋牧场工程技术研究中心, 辽宁 大连 116023 作者简介: 于晓明(1981-),男,博士,副教授.E-mail:yxm@dlou.edu.cn 通讯作者: 中图分类号: S917 基金项目: 农业部北方海水增养殖重点实验室开放课题（2014MSENCKF15）；辽宁省教育厅科学技术研究项目（L2014285）；辽宁省农业领域青年科技创新人才培养计划项目（2015007）；大连市支持高层次人才创新创业项目（2016RQ067） Effects of water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen on the swimming ability of Japanese pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes juveniles Author: Affiliation: Center for Marine Ranching Engineering Science Research of Liaoning, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:为了考查水温、盐度和溶氧对红鳍东方鲀（）幼鱼游泳能力的影响，测定了其在不同水温[15.2、20.2、25.6（对照）和30.4℃]、盐度[0、10、20、32（对照）和40]和溶氧[2.14、4.10、5.81和7.36 mg/L（对照）]条件下的临界游速和最大游速。结果表明，水温和溶氧含量均显著影响实验鱼的临界游速和最大游速（crit，cm/s）和最大游速（ 2+5.450=-0.018<0.01）。溶氧含量（DO，mg/L）与临界游速和最大游速也均呈二次函数关系，关系式分别为=0.995（R2=0.985（>0.05）。结论认为，低温和缺氧会降低红鳍东方鲀放流苗种的游泳能力，进而降低其放流后的捕食成功率，提高被捕食概率。 Abstract:We investigated the effects of water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) content on the swimming ability of juvenile tiger puffer , cm/s) and maximum swimming speed (was determined under different temperatures (15.2℃, 20.2℃, 25.6℃ and 30.4℃), salinities (0, 10, 20, 32 and 40), and DO content (2.14 mg/L, 4.10 mg/L, 5.81 mg/L and 7.36 mg/L). The both increased as water temperature ( increased from 13.12 to 29.07 cm/s; increased from 17.51 to 37.38 cm/s. The relationship between could be interpreted with quadratic models, as: 2=0.995 (T-12.27, Umax also increased as DO was increased from 2.14 to 7.36 mg/L: increased from 16.43 to 33.65 cm/s. The relationship between DO and could be interpreted with quadratic models, as: =0.995 (+11.10DO-3.919, <0.01). The salinity challenges had no significant effects upon of the juvenile tiger puffer (>0.05). Temperature is known to strongly influence the contractile properties of muscles. According to "compression of the recruitment order theory", recruiting all of a fish's aerobic fibers at a lower speed results in reduced sustainable performance. The effects of temperature on the physical properties of water may also affect fish swimming ability. The viscosity of water decreases as temperature increases, and this may increase the swimming efficiency of fish in warmer waters. The swimming ability of juvenile tiger puffer might be limited by the cardiorespiratory system in response to hypoxia as a result of impaired functioning of the oxygen transport and exchange system. Furthermore, as another response to hypoxia, increases in respiratory frequency to improve the absorbance of oxygen must evoke an additional energy cost to the animal. The absence of any significant changes in the of the juvenile tiger puffer following the various salinity challenges could be a direct result of this species' exceptional ability for maintaining plasma homeostasis and water balance in the tissues. In natural environments, lower temperatures and hypoxia would reduce the swimming ability of juvenile tiger puffer and thereby weaken their predation and/or predator-avoidance capacity. These findings increase our understanding of the biology and ecology of the tiger puffer, and may be useful for enhancing stocks of this near-threatened species. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Growth control of juvenile tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes by water temperature adjustment for efficient selection using the TILLING method

Growth control of juvenile tiger puffer <I>Takifugu rubripes</I> by water temperature adjustment for efficient selection using the TILLING method

Egg incubation of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes using a closed recirculation system

Egg incubation of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes using a closed recirculation system

Administration of tetrodotoxin protects artificially raised juvenile tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes from predators

We examined the effects of tetrodotoxin (TTX) administration on artificially raised tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes juvenile survival after release into a mesocosm with predators to clarify the ecological significance of TTX. Pellets containing three different concentrations of TTX [0 as the control, 7 and 14 mouse units (MU)/g diet] were fed to non-toxic artificially raised T. rubripes juveniles for 10 days. TTX accumulation in the various tissues of fish was detected except for in the control diet group. TTX administration did not affect survival or growth of the fish. One hundred fish from each diet group were released together after TTX administration into a salt pond mesocosm (2650 m2) with predators (Lateolabrax sp.) for 5 days. Survival after release was significantly higher in both the fish fed with the 7 MU TTX/g diet (62%) and the 14 MU TTX/g diet (74%) than in the control fish (32%).

Molecular Basis for Antigenic Diversity of Genus Betanodavirus.

Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of viral nervous necrosis (VNN), a devastating disease for the Mediterranean mariculture. Four different betanodavirus species are recognized, Striped jack-, Redspotted grouper-, Tiger puffer-, and Barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV, RGNNV, TPNNV and BFNNV), but there is little knowledge on their antigenic properties. In order to describe the serological relationships among different betanodavirus genotypes, serum neutralization assays were performed using rabbit polyclonal antisera against eight fish nodaviruses that cover a wide species-, temporal-, spatial- and genetic range. The results indicate that the SJNNV and RGNNV are antigenically distinct, constituting serotypes A and C, respectively. The TPNNV and BFNNV, the latter representing cold-water betanodaviruses, are antigenically related and cluster within serotype B. The reassortant viruses RGNNV/SJNNV and SJNNV/RGNNV group within serotypes A and C, respectively, indicating that the coat protein encoded by RNA2 acts as major immunoreactivity determinant. Immunostaining of in vitro expressed wild type and chimeric capsid proteins between the RGNNV and the SJNNV species indicated that the C-terminal part of the capsid protein retains the immunoreactive portion. The amino acid (aa) residues determining RGNNV and SJNNV antigenic diversity were mapped to aa residues 217–256 and aa 257–341, respectively. Neutralization of reverse genetics derived chimeric viruses indicated that these areas determine the neutralizing epitopes. The data obtained are crucial for the development of targeted serological tests for the diagnosis of VNN, and informative for development of cross-protective vaccines against various betanodavirus genotypes.

Changes in behavior and feeding habits of hatchery-reared tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes juveniles

Changes in behavior and feeding habits of hatchery-reared tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes juveniles

Recovery of gonadal development in tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes after exposure to 17β-estradiol during early life stages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) exposure on gonadal development in the tiger puff er (Takifugu rubripes), which has a genetic sex determination system of male homogametic XY-XX. Tiger puff er larvae were exposed to 1, 10 and 100 μg/L E2 from 15 to 100 days post-hatch (dph) and then maintained in clean seawater until 400 dph. Changes in sex ratio, gonadal structure and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were monitored at 100, 160, 270 and 400 dph. Sex-associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used to analyze the genetic sex of samples, except those at 100 dph. Exposure had a positive effect on the conversion of genetically male gonads into phenotypically female gonads at 100 dph. However, gonads from 60% of genetic XY males in the 1-μg/L E2 group and 100% in the 10-μg/L E2 group developed intersexual gonads at 160 dph; gonads of all genetic XY males in the two treatment groups reverted to testis by 270 dph. While 38%, 57% and 44% of gonads of XY fish in the 100-μg/L E2 group reverted to intersexual gonads at 160, 270 and 400 dph, respectively, none reverted to testis after E2 treatment. In addition, E2 exposure inhibited gonadal growth of both genetic sexes, as indicated by the clear dose-dependent decrease in GSI at 270 and 400 dph. The results showed that exposure to E2 during the early life stages of tiger puff er disrupted gonadal development, but that fish recovered after migration to clean seawater. The study suggests the potential use of tiger puff er as a valuable indicator species to evaluate the effects of environmental estrogens on marine fish, thereby protecting valuable fishery resources.