Marbled grouperin Florida (Gulf)
Dermatolepis inermis
Also called Sicklefish grouper.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for marbled grouper in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Not named in the snapper-grouper rules we track; grouper aggregate rules may apply. Check before keeping one — a rare, slow-growing species.
FWC 2026· checked · likelyCheck
Beyond 9 miles: federal waters
The same numbers past the 9-mile line, written by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marbled grouperThis page. | No size limit | See note | Year-round |
| Gag grouperGray with worm-like markings.Tell them apart | 24 in TL min | 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate | 2026 Gulf season: Sep 1-30 |
How to tell it
Dark gray-brown grouper with pale marbling and a very deep body; a humpbacked look; rare on deep reefs. More on the marbled grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Marbled grouper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a marbled grouper in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appMarbled grouper in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for marbled grouper in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many marbled grouper can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
See note.
When is marbled grouper season in Florida (Gulf)?
Year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) marbled grouper 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.