Dog snapperin Florida (Gulf)
Lutjanus jocu
Also called Dogtooth snapper.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for dog snapper in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Snapper aggregate (10).
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog snapperThis page. | 12 in TL min | 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-round |
| Cubera snapperGrows far larger, lacks the pale cheek triangle.Tell them apart | 12 in TL min | 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-round |
| Schoolmaster snapperBarred, all-yellow fins.Tell them apart | 10 in TL min | 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-round |
How to tell it
Canines you can see with the mouth CLOSED; pale triangle and a row of blue dots below the eye. More on the dog snapper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Dog snapper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a dog snapper in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appDog snapper in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for dog snapper in Florida (Gulf)?
12 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many dog snapper can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate). It counts toward an aggregate: Snapper aggregate (10).
When is dog snapper season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) dog snapper 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.