I started with a 2" oscar. fed him flakes, small hikari pellets, blood worms, small crickets (live). 8 months later, 10" in length, and now in a 110 with some buddies, he still eats blood worms, hikari large pellets, blood worms, large crickets and NO feeder fish of any kind. I've never had a dog sh&*t that much...and with variety (including par boiled peas) color is irrelevant. Keep up with weekly cleaning...they need it.