They seem to be unpredictable in their growth rates.
They should do fine in louisana.

General advice:

Avoid sharp rocks and logs.
Use sand for a substrate.
Make a shallow area

Make lots of hides
Main wild food is actually crayfish.
Most babies will eat ghost/glass shrimps and pre-killed guppies/mollies and small annelid worms.

Adults usually take cooked chicken, smelt, shrimp, any insect, tadpoles, any fish (they are great fishermen) and small crayfish .

Many don't eat well if there isn't lots of hiding spots.
Some people seem to think sand helps them adjust as well.
And they DO bask.