I always fed min krill when smaller, then whole large shrimp after they get larger. These guys get bigger than what most people say. I had one for 3 years and it was 17" when it died after all my tanks were smashed. It would eat about 5 2" shrimp every night very ferocious about it too. They are a great fish, but can get spooked easily. Put them in a tank with little to no lighting unless natural light and it will help keep their stress levels down. They can break their beaks easily when frightened and run into the glass. Use some real or fake plants that are vertical. They hang out vertical in grass reeds waiting on their next meal. They blend in very well when smaller. That's what the stripes down their sides are for. Very cool behavior to watch.
