To develop a method for evaluating the suitability of fish stocking waters, a small batch of Plectropomus leopardus was first released in this experiment, and then the growth characteristics and muscle nutrients of the recaptured P. leopardus and the farmed P. leopardus with superior living environment were compared, and the inverse method is used to evaluate whether the stock waters is suitable for the growth of released fish. The results showed that both recaptured and farmed P. leopardus showed isokinetic growth. The growth condition factor a value of recaptured P. leopardus was greater than that of farmed P. leopardus, and the condition factor was also greater than that of farmed P. leopardus. There was no significant difference in moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, essential amino acid content and total amino acid content between the two muscles. The contents of monounsaturated fatty acids, C20:4n6, C20:5n3 and C22:6n3 in muscle of recaptured P. leopardus were significantly higher than those in farmed P. leopardus. There was no significant difference in other elements except manganese and selenium in the muscle of recaptured and farmed P. leopardus. The content of lead in the muscle of recaptured P. leopardus was significantly lower than that of farmed P. leopardus, and there was no significant difference in other heavy metals. The study showed that the habitat conditions of the stock waters could ensure the balance and accumulation of various nutrients to meet the growth and development needs of the P. leopardus. This experiment verified the feasibility of analyzing the suitability of fish stocking waters based on growth characteristics and nutrient composition. It can provide a new idea for evaluating the suitability of fish stocking waters in the future, and can also be used to other aquatic species.