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Prohibited Nonnative Species List

FWC Commissioners approved rule changes to Chapter 68-5, F.A.C. on February 25, 2021 which added 16 high-risk nonnative reptiles to Florida’s Prohibited list. Future possession of these species by eligible entities is now limited to the purposes of research, educational exhibition, control or eradication, and for qualifying commercial use sales (green iguanas and tegus only) and pet owners (green iguanas and tegus only).  

Aquatic Invertebrates

  1. Dreissena polymorpha (Zebra mussel)
  2. Dreissena bugensis (Quagga mussel)
  1. Eriocheir, all species including E. sinensis (Mitten crab)

Genus Cherax, all species (except C. quadricarinatus cultured in a closed tank system)

Freshwater Fish

  1. Lepomis cyanellus (Green sunfish)

Family Malapteruridae, all species

Genus Hydrocynus, all species

Family Electrophoridae

Subfamily Serrasalminae, all species of piranha and pirambeba

Family Channidae, all species

Family Erythrinidae, all species

Family Heteropneustidae, all species

Genera Tilapia, Sarotherodon, Alcolapia and Oreochromis, all species except Oreochromis
aureus, Oreochromis urolepis, Oreochromis mossambicus, and Oreochromis niloticus

Family Clariidae, all species except Clarias batrachus

Family Petromyzonidae, all species

Family Trichomycteridae, all species

Marine Species

Mammals

  1. Cricetomys emini (Emin's giant pouched rat)
  2. Cricetomys gambianus (Gambian pouched rat)

Pteropus sp. (flying foxes)

  1. Alitax sp., Cynictis sp., Herpestes sp., Ichneumia sp., Mungos sp., and Suricata sp. (Mongooses, meerkats)
  2. Cuon sp. (dhole/Indian wild dog)
  1. Trichosurus vulpecula (brushtail possum)

Reptiles

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Tegus (genera Savator and Tupinambis, all species)

Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Nile monitors possessed for personal use by reptile of concern license holders prior to July 1, 2010  may continue to be in the possession of the owner for the life of the animal. A valid reptile of concern license to possess these animals must be maintained pursuant to 379.372, F.S.

  1. Boiga irregularis (brown tree snake)
  2. Eunectes beniensis (Beni anaconda)
  3. Eunectes deschauenseei (DeSchauensee's anaconda)
  4. Eunectes notaeus (yellow anaconda)

The following species possessed for personal use by reptile of concern license holders prior to July 1, 2010  may continue to be in the possession of the owner for the life of the animal. A valid reptile of concern license to possess these animals must be maintained pursuant to 379.372, F.S.

  1. Python molurus (Indian or Burmese python)
  2. Python reticulatus (Reticulated python)
  3. Python sebae (Northern African python)
  4. Python natalensis (Southern African python)
  5. Morelia amethistinus (Amethystine python)
  6. Morelia kinghorni (Scrub python)
  7. Eunectes murinus (Green anaconda)

 

Family Hydrophiidae, all species, except that sea snakes may be possessed as described in paragraph 68-5.007(1)(f), F.A.C. 

Birds

  1. Padda [Lonchura] oryzivora (Java sparrow)
  2. Pycnonotus jocosus (Red-whiskered bul-bul)
  3. Quelea quelea (Red-billed quelea/dioch)
  4. Stumus [Pastor] roseus (Pink/rosy starling)