CunnerorTautog
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Cunner
Small rubber-lipped wrasse of docks and rocks — mottled red-brown to bluish, with buck teeth.
Tautog
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth.
Tautog, next to cunner: blunter, chunkier, slate-gray.
Side by side
| Cunner | Tautog | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Tautogolabrus adspersus | Tautoga onitis |
| Also called | Bergall, Chogset | — |
| Waters | Inshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 3 lb 8.8 oz · New Jersey (2019) | 28.8 lb · Maryland (2015) |
| On the table | Edible panfish; mostly a bait stealer. | Excellent, firm white flesh. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 9 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 8 of 9 states with a rule for either. In Massachusetts, cunner is No size limit, No bag limit and tautog is 16" min; only one fish over 21", 3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31). Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Cunner: size · bag · season | Tautog: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16" minimum2 per angler (Apr and Jul-Aug); 3 per angler (Oct 10-Nov 28)Apr 1-30, Jul 1-Aug 31, Oct 10-Nov 28ClosedCT DEEP 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16 in min4 per dayJan 1 - May 15 and Jul 1 - Dec 31OpenDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Maine | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenME DMR 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16 in min4 (Jan 1-May 15 and Nov 1-Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1-Oct 31)Jul 1-May 15; catch-and-release only May 16-Jun 30OpenMD DNR 2026 · checked |
| Massachusetts | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · likely · checked | 16" min; only one fish over 21"3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31)Apr 1 - Dec 31, seasonal bag changesOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 15" min4 (Jan 1–Feb 28); 4 (Apr 1–Apr 30); 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15); 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31)Jan 1 – Feb 28, Apr 1 – Apr 30, Aug 1 – Nov 15, Nov 16 – Dec 31OpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16"2 (April); 4 (fall, NY Bight)Apr 1-30 and Oct 15 - Dec 22 (NY Bight)ClosedNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| Rhode Island | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16" min (only one fish >21")3/person/day Apr 1-May 31 and Aug 1-Oct 14; 5/person/day Oct 15-Dec 31; max 10/vessel/day (private)Apr 1 - May 31, Aug 1 - Dec 31 (closed Jun 1 - Jul 31)OpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 16 in min4 per personOpen year-round except May 16 - Jun 30OpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, cunner or tautog, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell cunner from tautog?
Cunner: Small rubber-lipped wrasse of docks and rocks — mottled red-brown to bluish, with buck teeth. Tautog: Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth. Tautog, next to cunner: blunter, chunkier, slate-gray.
Which gets bigger, cunner or tautog?
Tautog. The heaviest state record we hold is 28.8 lb in Maryland; the heaviest cunner record is 3 lb 8.8 oz in New Jersey.
Which is better to eat, cunner or tautog?
Cunner: Edible panfish; mostly a bait stealer. Tautog: Excellent, firm white flesh.
Do cunner and tautog have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 8 state rulebooks. Massachusetts: cunner No size limit, No bag limit, tautog 16" min; only one fish over 21", 3 (Apr 1-May 31), 1 (Jun 1-Jul 31), 3 (Aug 1-Oct 14), 5 (Oct 15-Dec 31); Connecticut: cunner no rule of its own, tautog 16" minimum, 2 per angler (Apr and Jul-Aug); 3 per angler (Oct 10-Nov 28); Delaware: cunner no rule of its own, tautog 16 in min, 4 per day; Maryland: cunner no rule of its own, tautog 16 in min, 4 (Jan 1-May 15 and Nov 1-Dec 31); 2 (Jul 1-Oct 31); New Jersey: cunner no rule of its own, tautog 15" min, 4 (Jan 1–Feb 28); 4 (Apr 1–Apr 30); 1 (Aug 1–Nov 15); 5 (Nov 16–Dec 31); and more in the table on this page.