This study evaluates the TCDD toxicity in embryos and larvae of the fathead minnow based on body burden. For the fish embryos, the LOAEL with mild lesions was at a tissue dose of 40 pg TCDD/g. The LD(50) was 25,710 pg TCDD/g. Embryos exhibited gross lesions such as multifocal hemorrhages, edema, and lower jaw malformation. For the one-month-old larvae, the NOAEL was at 3,590 pg TCDD/g. The LD(50) was 70,915 pg TCDD/g. Wasting-type syndrome was observed at a tissue dose of 20,000 pg TCDD/g, and 100% mortality at 163,000 pg TCDD/g. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.