i feed mine hikari gold (has done wonders for his colors) blood worms, brine and mysis shrimp, earthworms (which they will devour) and also algae tablets, he goes nuts over those for some reason. he (or she) has gone from 1.5 " to a little over 10" in about 16 months

they where tolerating a choclate pleco in there tank but they tore off his top fin and i moved the pleco to the qt tank i think it will grow back as the spines are still there