Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus is a marine snapper that is relatively easy to spawn and rear the larveagiving it potential as a mariculture species or research model for other snapper species. Hence, there is an interest in identifying diets that are appropriate for its culture. The utilization of practical diets and its effects on fish growth performance and body composition is currently poorly understood. Two trials were conducted to observe the effects of practical diets for yellowtail snapper having different protein sources and varying protein:lipid ratios. A 14-week growth trial (mean initial weight of 2.03 ± 0.06g) was conducted in 24 (730 L) with two series of experimental diets. First set of diets with varying levels of different protein sources such as fishmeal (F), poultry meal (P), and soybean meal (SBM) namely F30:P0:SMB20, F15:P15:SMB20, F0:P30:SMB20, and F15:P0:SMB40 were formulated to have 40% protein and 10% lipid levels. The second set of diets were formulated with varying concentrations of protein and lipids namely -- low protein:average lipid (Pro36:Lip10), average protein:low lipid (Pro40:Lip6), average protein:average lipid (Pro40:Lip10), and high protein:high lipid (Pro44:Lip14) levels. Survival showed significant differences (p<0.05) among all dietary treatments, with highest survival in fish fed F0:P30:SMB20 and low protein:average lipid (Pro36:Lip10) levels. Histological measurements of distal intestine diameter showed significant difference (p<0.05) among fish fed F30:P0:SMB20, F0:P30:SMB20, and F15:P0:SMB40. However, no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in histological measurements of mucosal length, and thickness of the mucosa, lamina propria, submucosa, and serosa, as well as in the histological scoring of the lamina propria folds, connective tissue, and large vacuoles. Results show that no adverse effects on growth performance and gut histology were observed in yellowtail snapper when fed with diets containing low levels of different protein sources. The second 10-week growth trial (mean initial weight of 3.40 ± 0.05g, in 36 [82.9L] tanks) was conducted to optimize lipid concentrations, following low protein levels from the previous trial. Four diets were formulated to contain 36% protein with varying lipid concentrations of 7% (Pro36:Lip07), 10% (Pro36:Lip10), 13% Pro36:Lip13, and 16% (Pro36:Lip16). Commercial diet (Otohime EP3) having 48% protein and 10% lipid concentration was used as a reference diet. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in weight gain and thermal growth coefficient values, with Pro36:Lip13 having the highest weight gain, survival, and FCE. Consecutively, whole fish body composition showed significant differences (p<0.05) in moisture and fat content. Over-all results show that diets containing 36% protein and 13% lipid concentration levels were observed to be the optimal level for yellowtail snapper diets, showing no adverse effects on growth performance and body composition. The current study serves as initial findings posing promising potential in the development of the relatively obscure culture of the yellowtail snapper.