That is what I was thinking. I have seen a group of WC Cichla (same species, collected at same time) in a healthy tank. One was not growing at all and was several inches smaller than the others.
As long as he doesn't have a sunken belly it's fine.
Cichla already have a fast metabolism, all you have to do is just feed as many times as they want to eat and do the water changes. It's not only the food that gets them going, it's the space they are kept in, the water changes and the filtration that play a critical part in their growth spurt as well.
As for the choice in food, I'd say it's poor. Bloodworms have very poor nutritional value, and the "feeder guppy" should be a daily snack, not a weekly event. Anyway, if I may suggest something, try visiting your local Chinese Supermarket and look for some frozen gobies, kuhli loaches, or frog legs ... the food of choice of a guy I know makes miracles happen with his fish's growth rates.
Otherwise, nice fish Ryan, looking forward to see it mature.