Thanks for the compliments, Willie and Brian.
I processed the rest of the 60# box of beef heart yesterday. In total it yielded 26# of feed (43% of my $110, 60# box - so about $4.25/pound). There's probably 23# in the deep freezer, which I am guessing is PLENTY for quite some time. Hopefully it keeps OK.
In about two months I've gone through approximately three pounds of beef heart (feeding other stuff along the way as well, of course). I wish I had a frame of reference for if I am feeding too much or too little. I'm finding that the big ones eat anything at any time. One of the runty ones (turq) has also kind of joined them, so I'm thinking he'll eventually get going (even if he won't ever reach the potential of the bigger ones). The one that has kind of joined him (flachen) will pick around at stuff, but won't join the fray when the others are eating. Since I have no frame of reference, I don't know what's normal. He is doing the same thing as the turq before he snapped out of it. In any event, if I keep a bit of vibra bites or sinking pellets in the water fairly frequently, he will eat them (and so will all the others, even if they just ate beef heart or black worms).
I'm hoping if I keep a bit of that available most times, that he will at least limp along and not look grotesque in a year.
I did a round of levamisole at the schedule of "Al's QT", but the second round would have hit during the disaster in which I lost one (or shortly thereafter), so I waited.
So I'm thinking I should probably to two rounds of that again. I occasionally vacuum up a small white glob which I kept contributing to a small piece of fat or vessel that I missed in the beef heart, but I'm starting to wonder if it's the flachen pooping every few days. Not sure what the right move there is.
Interesting with regards to the rummynose. I wonder if they're just not particularly happy about being in warmer water? The ones in my community tank have very nicely colored noses, but like you're saying it's got river rock gravel, driftwood, and a black background. Part of me just wants to see them in a longer tank because they school so well. I (likely) remain too scared to add any fish to the tank, if I'm honest. I had someone suggest that when they added some dither fish that their discus seemed to calm down. Mine are pretty calm, but occasionally something will catch them just right and send them flipping. In any event, I am probably too chicken to add anything anyway. I do like lemon tetras though, yellow would be a nice addition to the mix. I'll have to think about that. They're about $4 locally, I think.