Belted sandfishin Florida (Gulf)
Serranus subligarius
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for belted sandfish in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Small serranids (hamlets, basslets) fall under Florida's Marine Life rule; check whether belted sandfish is listed before keeping any.
FWC 2026· checked · likelyCheck
How to tell it
Small brown-and-white banded sea bass with a dark blotch on the belly; a tiny serranid of pilings and rock. More on the belted sandfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Belted sandfish in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a belted sandfish in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBelted sandfish in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for belted sandfish in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many belted sandfish can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
See note.
When is belted sandfish season in Florida (Gulf)?
Year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) belted sandfish rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.