Butterfly peacock bassin Florida (Gulf)
Cichla ocellaris
Also called Peacock bass, Butterfly peacock.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for butterfly peacock bass in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Freshwater species — FWC freshwater rules apply (a saltwater license doesn't cover it).
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations)· checked Open
How to tell it
Golden with three dark vertical bars and a black eye-spot on the tail; a dark spot on the gill cover. More on the butterfly peacock bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Butterfly peacock bass in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a butterfly peacock bass in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appButterfly peacock bass in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for butterfly peacock bass in Florida (Gulf)?
Only one 17" or longer. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many butterfly peacock bass can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
2 per person per day.
When is butterfly peacock bass season in Florida (Gulf)?
Year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) butterfly peacock bass rule?
Source: FWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations), 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.