Abstract
This study shows that in African catfish Clarias gariepinus feed intake ( I F ) is stimulated by the presence of conspecifics resulting in higher I F and growth rate. The feeding duration and the frequency of feeding acts were lower in isolated fish as compared with non‐isolated fish, indicating a decreased feeding motivation when fish are held individually. Isolation per se , however, seems not to act as a stressor in the short‐term or to affect the stress response, probably because periods of isolation are part of the African catfish lifestyle.