texas' are like the frontosas of the new worlds imo. i have had a beauty that i grew from a baby live great and suddenly die one day, and have had tons of baby growouts live in *****ty conditions and grow like superfreaks. it's hit or miss in my opinion. i've had them in old/new world communities and conditions, and vice versa and it's always different.
my 10" boy now lives in the average ca/sa tank conditions and is doing great. eats hikari golds sinking pellets and loves em. earthworms and the occasional beefheart too.
the main thing i've noticed is that they do not like stirred up, dirty tanks. keep it clean, stay on top of your water changes, testing, chemicals, and over feeding, and you should be fine.
