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Species · Nearshore

French Angelfish

Pomacanthus paru

Also called Frenchie.

Rules in 2 state rulebooks, checked Sep 16, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell it

Black body with bright yellow scale edges, a yellow ring around the eye; juveniles black with curved yellow bars.

Rules for

Every state

StateSizeBagSeasonToday
Florida (Atlantic)1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked Open
Florida (Gulf)1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked Open

Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).

On the table

Not a food fish — an aquarium species; ciguatera risk on reef fish.

In the app

Point the camera at a french angelfish 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.

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Questions anglers ask about french angelfish

What is the size limit for french angelfish?

It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish); Florida (Gulf): 1½–8" slot (Pomacanthus angelfish).

How many french angelfish can you keep?

Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.

How do you tell french angelfish from gray angelfish?

French Angelfish has this: Black body with bright yellow scale edges, a yellow ring around the eye; juveniles black with curved yellow bars.. Gray Angelfish gray, square tail edge, pale mouth.