A 3 ×3 factorial feeding trial was made to determine the effect of dietary protein level and lipid level on growth and body composition of Sciaenops ocellatus. Juvenile fish whose initial mean weight was 2.73g were randomly distributed in 27 nets (2. 5m ×1. 5m ×1. 3m) and were fed with test diets containing gradual protein levels (38 %, 42 %, 46 %) and lipid levels (5%, 8%, 12 %) for 8 weeks. It is found that specific growth rates (SPR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly higher in fish fed with high protein diets (HP, 46 %) thanthosefedwithmediumproteindiets (MP, 42 %) andlowproteindiets (LP, 38 %) ( P <0.05). No significant difference was found among groups fed with different lipid levels diet in the same protein level ( P > 0. 05) . Viscerosomatic and hepatosomatic index increased with reducing of the dietary DP/ DE. Lipid content of whole body and hepatocrease increased with increasing of the dietary digestable energy. However , protein and ash content and amino acid composition of whole body were not affected by dietary treatment. It is recommended that the optimal dietary protein level and the ratio of protein and digestible energy (DP/ DE) of juvenile Sciaenops ocellatus are 46 % and 119mg·kcal -1.