Regulations for Nonnative Fish and Wildlife: Conditional and Prohibited Species
Nonnative Conditional species and Prohibited species, pose a threat to Florida’s ecology, economy, and/or human health and safety. Because of the threats that these species post, enhanced regulations are necessary to protect people and Florida's native ecosystems and species.
Prohibited species may only be possessed by qualifying entities with a permit for research, public exhibition, and eradication and control activities. Prohibited species may not be acquired or kept for personal use, except for limited exceptions for possession of green iguanas and tegus. Some additional limited exceptions allow for commercial sales of green iguanas and tegus. These measures are intended to support statewide efforts to mitigate the ecological impacts of these invasive species and promote their removal from Florida. Additional regulations restrict the importation, breeding, possession, and transfer of certain Prohibited species.
Conditional species may be imported and possessed by permitted entities for research, commercial import/export, or public exhibition. Conditional species may not be acquired or kept for personal use, with the exception of red-eared sliders.
Apply for a permit
You can apply for a permit today.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides email or text message updates on a variety of subjects, including nonnative fish and wildlife, captive wildlife and updates for licenses and permits. Sign up for notifications.
Rules concerning Conditional and Prohibited nonnative species are found in Chapter 68-5, Florida Administrative Code. More information is available in Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and Florida Statutes (F.S.).
Chapter 68-5, F.A.C.
Purpose and Intent
The purpose of this chapter is to establish definitions, provide requirements for import permits, provide Conditional and Prohibited species lists, establish requirements for possession of Conditional and Prohibited species, establish criteria for amnesty for persons relinquishing nonnative fish and wildlife, and regulations related to lionfish.
Definitions
Chapter 68-5.002 provides definitions for language utilized throughout Rule 68-5 F.A.C.
Introduction of Nonnative Species into the State
No freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild animal may be transported into the state, introduced, or possessed for any purpose that might reasonably be expected to result in liberation into the state, without having secured a permit. There are some exceptions to this rule, detailed in the rule language.
Conditional Nonnative Species
Live specimens of Conditional 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. This rule lists current Conditional species across multiple taxa.
Possession of Conditional Nonnative Species
Conditional species, hybrids, or eggs thereof, listed in Rule 68-5.004, may be imported and possessed by permitted entities for research, commercial import/export business or public educational exhibition. They may not be acquired or kept as personal pets, with the exception of red-eared sliders.
A Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit (CSP) is required to legally import Conditional species into Florida and possess them for commercial import/export business, research or public educational exhibition.
Individuals or businesses with a valid Aquaculture Certificate of Registration from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and authorization to possess Conditional (restricted) species, do not need a permit from the FWC to import or possess aquatic Conditional species; however, aquaculturists that engage in direct retail sales of Conditional species in addition to their fish farming business do need an FWC permit to import or possess Conditional species.
Conditional species may be sold or transferred only to people who hold a permit to import or possess that particular species, or to people who hold a valid Aquaculture Certificate with Conditional (restricted) species authorization. All imported Conditional species must be maintained in accordance to the provisions provided in Chapter 68-5, F.A.C., or in compliance with FDACS Aquaculture Best Management Practices.
Prohibited Nonnative Species
Live specimens of Prohibited 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 68-5.007, F.A.C. This rule lists current Prohibited species across multiple taxa.
Prohibited species may only be possessed by permit for educational exhibition, research or eradication/control activities. See section on Rule 68-5.007 for more information on possession requirements. Some limited exceptions may apply for pet owners and qualifying entities currently in possession of tegus or green iguanas.
Possession of Prohibited Nonnative Species
Prohibited species of fish and wildlife pose a high risk to Florida’s ecology, economy or human health and safety. Stringent biosecurity measures are required for those entities in possession of Prohibited species to limit escapes. Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C. includes language establishing requirements for permitting; including language established for Eradication and Control permits with the option to transfer live, wild-caught green iguanas to authorized commercial sales permit holder. Additionally, caging, biosecurity, transport, emergency preparedness, PIT tagging, recordkeeping and reporting requirements are also outlined in Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C.
Prohibited species may only be possessed by permit for educational exhibition, research or eradication/control activities, and in some cases, by permit holders with authorization to sell green iguanas or tegus. It is illegal to import or breed green iguanas and tegus in captivity within the state, so permitted sellers must collect green iguanas from the wild in Florida for the animals to be sold out-of-state.
Qualifying entities may apply for and obtain authorization to sell tegus if the applicant had a valid License to Possess Class III Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale (ESC) on June 20, 2020, documented possession of tegus on their 2018 or 2019 license application, and meet the caging and biosecurity requirements. Additionally, some limited exceptions allow personal possession of green iguanas or tegus with a no-cost permit. Owners in personal possession of unauthorized Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming their pet(s) through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Contact NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com if you have questions.
Amnesty for Persons Relinquishing Nonnative Pets
Rule 68-5.008, F.A.C. includes the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program rules. Specifics include how the program operates and how animals may be surrendered through the program. This program is an effort to reduce the number of nonnative species being released into the wild by pet owners who can no longer care for their pets or no longer wish to keep them.
Lionfish
Rule 68-5.009, F.A.C. establishes regulatory measures to prevent the introduction and spread of lionfish (genus Pterois) in Florida. The rule prohibits the importation, aquaculture, and sale of lionfish, except under specific exemptions for research or educational purposes. These measures are intended to support statewide efforts to mitigate the ecological impacts of this invasive species and promote its removal from Florida waters.
The Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and the Florida Statutes (F.S.) govern the importation and introduction of nonnative fish and wildlife:
- It is unlawful for any person to possess, transport or otherwise bring into the state or to release or introduce in the state any freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild animal life that is not native to the state without a permit from the Commission, except fathead minnow, variable platy, coturnix quail, and ring-necked pheasant. (68-5.001, F.A.C.)
- It is unlawful to import into the state or place in any of the fresh waters of the state any freshwater fish of any species without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.28, F.S.)
- It is unlawful to import for sale or use, or to release within this state, any species of the animal kingdom not indigenous to Florida without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.231, F.S.)
- It is unlawful to import or possess any marine plant or marine animal, not indigenous to the state, which, due to the stimulating effect of the waters of the state on procreation, may endanger or infect the marine resources of the state or pose a human health hazard, except as provided in this section. (379.26, F.S.)
More Information
Frequently Asked Questions
For a complete list of Conditional species in Florida, refer to rule language for 68-5.006, F.A.C. This list includes any live animals, eggs, hybrids, or taxonomic successors.
For a complete list of Prohibited species in Florida, refer to rule language for 68-5.006, F.A.C. This list includes any live animals, eggs, hybrids, or taxonomic successors.
These species pose a threat to Florida’s ecology, economy, and/or human health and safety. Because they are a high-risk to Florida, enhanced regulations are necessary. Regulation of high-risk nonnative fish and wildlife is used in conjunction with ongoing field work and other management strategies to minimize adverse impacts of invasive species and to prevent additional introduction or spread in the wild.
FWC staff will continue to use risk assessments and risk screenings to determine if additional management efforts are needed for nonnative species of concern. In February 2021 the Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission directed staff to develop a Technical Assistance Group (TAG) to enhance and promote ongoing dialogue among agencies, organizations, and their respective stakeholders, and to work together in addressing and examining the regulatory structure for nonnative fish and wildlife in Florida.
Conditional and Prohibited species may not be acquired or kept as personal pets, with the exception of red-eared sliders with the proper permit. Albino and amelanistic (lacking melanin) red-eared sliders may be possessed as pets without a permit.
Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Prohibited species cannot be possessed for commercial use or sales with some limited exceptions for tegus and green iguanas.
Anyone can apply for a Commercial Use of Tegus and/or Green Iguanas permit with authorization to sell live, wild caught green iguanas, provided the applicant meets caging and biosecurity requirements in rule for the possession of Prohibited green iguanas. Additionally, qualifying entities may apply for and obtain authorization to sell tegus if the applicant had a valid License to Possess Class III Wildlife for Exhibition or Public Sale (ESC) on June 20, 2020, documented possession of tegus on their 2018 or 2019 license application, and meet the caging and biosecurity requirements.
Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Prohibited species pose a high risk to Florida's ecology, economy or human health and safety. Prohibited species may only be possessed for research, following approval of a research plan, and for public exhibition by qualifying facilities. Prohibited species may also be possessed for a short time for the purpose of eradication and control by permitted entities and in some cases, by permit holders with authorization to sell green iguanas or tegus. Additionally, limited exceptions allow some people to keep Prohibited green iguanas or tegus as personal pets with a no-cost permit if the animal:
- Possessed prior to its listing as Prohibited, and
- Permittee meets biosecurity, PIT tagging, and caging requirements in rule, and
- Documentation is provided that proves prior possession.
People moving into Florida can apply for their Grandfathered Prohibited Species for Personal Use permit if they can provide the documentation of pet ownership prior to the species designation in Florida as Prohibited.
Additional regulations restrict the importation, breeding, possession, and transfer of certain Prohibited species.
Under Chapter 68-5., Prohibited reptiles may not be bred except by qualifying Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or Zoological Association of America (ZAA) accredited or certified institutions or researchers with appropriate permits. Permittees seeking authorization to breed Prohibited reptiles for educational exhibition or research purposes must submit a detailed proposal explaining the conservation value of the planned breeding activity, which must be approved by the FWC before any breeding activity occurs. Prohibited reptiles may not be bred or reared outdoors.
Permittees in possession of green iguanas and/or tegus for purpose of commercial sales are not authorized to breed these animals and any eggs produced shall be destroyed immediately.
We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics: