those freeze dried mysis shrimp. But some of his brothers and sisters in the pond are bigger, up to 6 inches. I just thought since he was the head of his class in the aquarium he had a pretty good natural growth rate but I guess they grow the fastest in a pond with all the great food availabe. Maybe he's a midget but then his tank mates are dwarfs. As far as the injury, It actually kinda seems like a deformity. He seems to labor more on that side and it does stick out but under the round gill flap the part that is much bigger than the other side is that part with the horrizontal lines/ridges under the gill that kinda radiate out from the front, just under the gill. Does that make sense? Gotta run but maybe i can get a better still pic a little later.