Red Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Also called Lionfish.
How to tell it
Zebra-striped maroon and white, fan-like venomous spines everywhere.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · 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).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 lb 13.76 oz | 2016 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 1 lb 11.41 oz | 2017 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 2 lb 11 oz | 2024 · Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 2.13 lb | 2025 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Excellent white flesh — the venom is in the spines, not the meat.
In the app
Point the camera at a red lionfish 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 red lionfish
What is the record red lionfish?
2 lb 13.76 oz in Alabama (2016). Other states’ records are in the table.