Section 68-5.004 - Conditional Non-Native SpeciesLive specimens of the following species, including their taxonomic successors, subspecies, or hybrids or eggs thereof may be possessed only pursuant to permit issued by the Executive Director except as provided in Rule 68-5.005, F.A.C.
(1) Non-native freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrate species. (a) Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis).(b) Bony-tongue fishes (Family Arapaimidae). 1. Arapaima (Arapaima gigas).2. Heterotis (Heterotis niloticus).(c) Dorados (Genus Salminus, all species).(d) Freshwater stingrays (Family Potamotrygonidae, all species).(e) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), with restrictions as provided in Rule 68A-23.088, F.A.C.(f) Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).(g) Snail or black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus).(h) Nile perches (Genus Lates, all species). For owners of aquaculture facilities that are operating under permit or a certificate of registration, but which are not cultivating Nile perches as of April 11, 2007, and for owners of aquaculture facilities which are issued original permits or certificates of registration after April 11, 2007, Nile perches:1. Shall be held only in indoor facilities.2. Shall not be taken on a fee or for-hire basis using hook and line or rod and reel.(i) Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), except that Oreochromis aureus may be possessed, cultured, and transported without permit in all counties of the Northeast, North Central, South and Southwest Regions.(j) Wami tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis).(k) Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).(l) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), except that Oreochromis niloticus may be possessed, cultured, and transported without permit in all counties of the Northeast, North Central, South and Southwest Regions.(m) Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus).(n) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), except that blue catfish may be possessed in the Suwannee River and its tributaries and north and west of the Suwannee River.(o) Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) only in closed tank culture systems.(p) Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulas).1. Pond aquaculture of either species is prohibited.2. Red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River and its tributaries or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food retailers for resale to consumers without permit.(q) Arowanas (Family Osteoglossidae, all species except silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum).(r) Northern largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides), except that intergrade largemouth bass (northern largemouth bass x Florida largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus) may be possessed in the Suwannee River and its tributaries and north and west of the Suwannee River.(2) Non-native mammals - Nutria (Myocaster coypus).(3) Non-native turtles. Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans): red-eared sliders may be possessed only by permitted individuals or commercial import or export businesses according to the provisions of subsection 68-5.005(4), F.A.C., except as provided below:(a) Red-eared sliders in personal possession prior to July 1, 2007 may continue in the possession of the owner without a permit, except that red-eared sliders less than four inches carapace length may not be possessed after July 1, 2008 without a permit.(b) Red-eared sliders with distinctive aberrant color patterns, including albino or amelanistic specimens, may be possessed without a permit otherwise required by this rule.(4) Non-native snakes and lizards: None listed at this time.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68-5.004
Rulemaking Authority Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution. Law Implemented Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
New 10-23-08, Amended 8-23-10, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 239, December 11, 2018 effective 12/27/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 071, April 13, 2021 effective 4/29/2021.New 10-23-08, Amended 8-23-10, 12-27-18, 4-29-21.