The effect of stocking density on feed intake, feed utilization and feeding behaviour was studied in groups of rainbow trout submitted to different levels of food accessibility. In the first experiment, 18 groups of 100, 300 or 500 fish (initial individual weight 26 +/- 0.5 g) were held in 1 m(3) tanks where they were fed: in excess using belt feeders; or by means of self-feeders wit a fixed reward level (4 g per trigger actuation) or a reward level proportional to fish density (2 g/100 fish/trigger actuation). Final biomass after 125 days was c. 25, 70 and 100 kg/m(3) in groups of 100, 300 and 500 fish respectively. Growth and feed intake was affected by fish density, feeding technique and reward level. However, feed efficiency, body composition, as well as nutrient retention and loss were unaffected by the treatment. In the self-fed groups, daily pattern of feeding activity was affected by fish density when the reward level was fixed but not when the reward level was proportional to fish density. In a second experiment, groups of 100 or 500 fish (same initial individual weight) had access to one or three self-feeders. Access to multiple self-feeders had no positive effect on any of the studied parameters. The fish used only one of the three feeders at a time, and the three feeders where not used equally. We conclude that feed intake but not feed utilization was impaired by increased density, indicating that density it itself is not stressful to the fish. Food accessibility is the main factor responsible for the observed density - related decrease in growth.