This study shows that in African catfish Clarias gariepinus feed intake (IF) is stimulated by the presence of conspecifics resulting in higher IF 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.