Blackbelly Rosefish
Helicolenus dactylopterus
Also called Rosefish, Rosie.
How to tell it
Rosy-orange, big-eyed, spiny-headed deep-drop fish with a dusky mouth lining.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundSAFMC / NC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4 lb 1 oz | 2012 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 2 lb 11.2 oz | 2022 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 3.9 lb | 2026 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Excellent — sweet deep-water white meat.
In the app
Point the camera at a blackbelly rosefish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about blackbelly rosefish
What is the record blackbelly rosefish?
4 lb 1 oz in Alabama (2012). Other states’ records are in the table.