Tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) is a highly valuable species and one of the most important fish traded in the live reef fish food trade (LRFFT). However, this species requires a desired growth pattern to command a high price in the market. Moreover, this species changes its growth pattern throughout the culture period, which may compromise its price value. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the length-weight relationship and condition factor of this species for three (3) months of culture. There were 150 E. fuscoguttatus juveniles (mean total length: 24.24 ± 0.26 cm; mean weight: 252 ± 7.93 g) collected from the coral reef of Tandubas Island, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. Fish were fed with 5% of their average body weight and individually measured for their length and weight using a measuring board and a digital weighing scale. Parameters, such as length-weight relationship and condition factor of E. fuscoguttatus were calculated before and after the cultured period. Results exhibited a lowering b value (i.e., from 3.00 to 2.96) and showed no significant difference between the wild caught E. fuscoguttatus at the time of capture and after their culture period (p > 0.05), suggesting an isometric growth pattern in both wild and cultured conditions. Apparently, an increasing condition factor (i.e., from 1.89 to 1.92) was observed in cultured fish. Moreover, a cultured grouper exhibited a significantly higher condition factor than the wild ones (p < 0.05), suggesting improved health condition when it is cultured as compared to the wild ones. Moreover, the results also suggested that growth patterns and condition factors can be manipulated through feeding management and dietary interventions. Overall, it implies that the growth pattern from the wild may be imitated in captivity, with appropriate cage management. Hence, it is feasible to produce cage-cultured grouper with body characteristics comparable to wild individuals.
