You want faster growth? 50% water changes daily, keep the tank at about 82F. Do not even consider live feeders. Feed several times daily, small amounts. Base the diet on a quality cichlid pellet, once weekly soak the pellets in a liquid vitamin for about an hour before feeding.
Besides the pellets, a beefheart mix that is no more than 50% beefheart, a couple of times weekly. Few stores sell this, you will be grinding beefheart yourself. Small shrimp, small pieces of fresh raw fish, spirulina tabs, and live clean earthworms are all good to rotate into the diet.
Fast for one day weekly to let the digestive system clear out, and to keep appetite sharp.