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Species · Lookalikes

Dog SnapperorCubera Snapper

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a Dog Snapper (Lutjanus jocu), side view, on a white background
Dog SnapperLutjanus jocu
Studio photograph of a Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), side view, on a white background
Cubera SnapperLutjanus cyanopterus

Rules for both fish from 10 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Dog Snapper

Canines you can see with the mouth CLOSED; pale triangle and a row of blue dots below the eye.

Cubera Snapper

Huge gray snapper with visible canines; adults offshore on wrecks.

Cubera snapper, next to dog snapper: grows far larger, lacks the pale cheek triangle.

Side by side

Dog SnapperCubera Snapper
Scientific nameLutjanus jocuLutjanus cyanopterus
Also calledDogtooth snapper—
WatersNearshoreNearshore
Heaviest state record30.97 lb · Louisiana (2026)131.31 lb · Louisiana (2026)
On the tableGood, but big Keys fish carry ciguatera risk.Good small; large cubera carry real ciguatera risk.
Rules of its own in6 states10 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 5 of 10 states with a rule for either. In Louisiana, dog snapper is No size limit, 10 per person in snapper aggregate and cubera snapper is 12 in total length, 10 per person in snapper aggregate. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

StateDog Snapper: size · bag · seasonCubera Snapper: size · bag · season
AlabamaNo size limit20-fish reef fish aggregateOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · likely · checked No size limit20-fish reef fish aggregateOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked
Florida (Atlantic)12 in TL min10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 12 in TL min10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked
Florida (Gulf)12 in TL min10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 12 in TL min10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked
GeorgiaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in total length10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked
LouisianaNo size limit10 per person in snapper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · likely · checked 12 in total length10 per person in snapper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked
MarylandNo size limit20 aggregate; max 10 of any one speciesOpen year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked No size limit20 aggregate; max 10 of any one speciesOpen year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked
Mississippi12 in total length minimum10 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked 12 in total length minimum10 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked
North CarolinaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in total length10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked
South CarolinaNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in total length10/day snapper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked
TexasNot specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.12 in total lengthWithin 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day)Open year-roundOpenFederal rule (Gulf federal waters)NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, dog snapper or cubera snapper, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

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Questions anglers ask

How do you tell dog snapper from cubera snapper?

Dog Snapper: Canines you can see with the mouth CLOSED; pale triangle and a row of blue dots below the eye. Cubera Snapper: Huge gray snapper with visible canines; adults offshore on wrecks. Cubera snapper, next to dog snapper: grows far larger, lacks the pale cheek triangle.

Which gets bigger, dog snapper or cubera snapper?

Cubera Snapper. The heaviest state record we hold is 131.31 lb in Louisiana; the heaviest dog snapper record is 30.97 lb in Louisiana.

Which is better to eat, dog snapper or cubera snapper?

Dog Snapper: Good, but big Keys fish carry ciguatera risk. Cubera Snapper: Good small; large cubera carry real ciguatera risk.

Do dog snapper and cubera snapper have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 5 state rulebooks. Louisiana: dog snapper No size limit, 10 per person in snapper aggregate, cubera snapper 12 in total length, 10 per person in snapper aggregate; Georgia: dog snapper no rule of its own, cubera snapper 12 in total length, 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate; North Carolina: dog snapper no rule of its own, cubera snapper 12 in total length, 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate; South Carolina: dog snapper no rule of its own, cubera snapper 12 in total length, 10/day snapper aggregate; Texas: dog snapper no rule of its own, cubera snapper 12 in total length, Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day).