That would probably be the best starting point lol...as for live food being the fish's only chance,how would it chase and capture what it can't see? I'm willing to bet that it has learned to eat some kind of pellets by now.
I guess the same way he's eating now. Something is put in front of his face & he snaps at it..if I were to take on this challenge ,i certaintly wouldn't want this fish to stay pretty much at statis quo which I have a feeling has been accomplished with this fish his whole like according to his gaunt belly...I would put him by himself in a fairly small tank (cause he ain't gonna move alot I wouldn't think) & throw a half dozen gutloaded feeders in there at night time..i bet they sooner or later they bump into his face & he mops them up..again..a smallish tank would be needed for this..if pellets & shrimp haven't worked in the past, something needs to change. His stomach tells me he needs a different approach. Also whole thawed fish dangled in front of his face may be worth a try to before or after the live approach..earthwormstoo on occasion