Marbled GrouperorGag Grouper
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
Marbled Grouper
Dark gray-brown grouper with pale marbling and a very deep body; a humpbacked look; rare on deep reefs.
Gag Grouper
Box-shaped worm markings in gray marble; darker fins with white edge on the anal.
Gag grouper, next to marbled grouper: gray with worm-like markings.
Side by side
| Marbled Grouper | Gag Grouper | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dermatolepis inermis | Mycteroperca microlepis |
| Also called | Sicklefish grouper | Gray grouper |
| Waters | Offshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | 80.38 lb · Florida (1993) |
| On the table | Edible — a rare, slow-growing grouper; most anglers release. | Excellent. |
| Rules of its own in | 9 states | 11 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 11 of 11 states with a rule for either. In Alabama, marbled grouper is No size limit, See note and gag grouper is 24 in total length minimum, 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Marbled Grouper: size · bag · season | Gag Grouper: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (Gulf federal waters)NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length minimum2 per person within 4-grouper aggregateState waters follow federal Gulf season: 2026 open Sept 1 - 30OpenAL MRD 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in TL min1 gag or black combined within 3-grouper aggregate; 2 per vessel2026 season May 1-Aug 1 (closed by executive order Aug 2)ClosedFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in TL min2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-30OpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | 25 in total length2 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (Gulf federal waters)NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 gagClosed Jan. 1–Aug. 31; open Sept. 1–Dec. 31, quota may close it earlyOpenLDWF 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit1 (all groupers combined)Open year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked |
| Mississippi | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (Gulf federal waters)NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length minimum2 per personSep 1 – Sep 30, 2026OpenMS DMR 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length1 per day (gag or black grouper combined; max 2 per vessel), within 3-grouper aggregate2026 season May 1 – Aug 1; quota-closed Aug 2, 2026 through Apr 30, 2027ClosedFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length1/day gag or black grouper (not both), within 3-grouper aggregateOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | No size limitSee noteYear-roundCheckFederal rule (Gulf federal waters)NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · likely · checked | 24 in total length2Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit1 grouper per person (all grouper species combined)Open year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, marbled grouper or gag grouper, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell marbled grouper from gag grouper?
Marbled Grouper: Dark gray-brown grouper with pale marbling and a very deep body; a humpbacked look; rare on deep reefs. Gag Grouper: Box-shaped worm markings in gray marble; darker fins with white edge on the anal. Gag grouper, next to marbled grouper: gray with worm-like markings.
Which is better to eat, marbled grouper or gag grouper?
Marbled Grouper: Edible — a rare, slow-growing grouper; most anglers release. Gag Grouper: Excellent.
Do marbled grouper and gag grouper have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 11 state rulebooks. Alabama: marbled grouper No size limit, See note, gag grouper 24 in total length minimum, 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): marbled grouper No size limit, See note, gag grouper 24 in TL min, 1 gag or black combined within 3-grouper aggregate; 2 per vessel; Florida (Gulf): marbled grouper No size limit, See note, gag grouper 24 in TL min, 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate; Georgia: marbled grouper No size limit, See note, gag grouper 25 in total length, 2 per person per day; Louisiana: marbled grouper No size limit, See note, gag grouper 24 in total length, 4 per person in grouper aggregate, max 2 gag; and more in the table on this page.