This study aimed to evaluate the protein requirements of Clarias batrachus fry, were estimated by feeding isocaloric diets. The influence of dietary protein level on weight gain, survival, food utilization and body composition were estimated. The Asian catfish, C. batrachus fry were fed four diets containing 25% (diet 1), 30% (diet 2), 35% (diet 3) and 40% (diet 4) protein levels and 3580 kcal kg-1 of energy level for 30 days. Fry fed with diet 3 containing 35% protein showed the highest final body weight, survival, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio and were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. C. batrachus fry raised at 25% protein (diet 1) had higher apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR) (1.30±0.13) than 35% dietary protein level (0.63±0.07). Higher protein efficiency ratio (4.52±0.4) observed at higher protein level (35%) than 25% protein level (3.08±0.6). Body lipid and ash content observed to have been influenced (P < 0.05) by diets with increasing protein level. Further, crude protein was not affected (P > 0.05) with increase in dietary protein level. The study concluded that the diet 3 containing 35% protein was optimal for growth of C. batrachus fry.