RTC in a way of feeding in nature is ~ nothing like a TSN. RTC is an opportunistic scavenger. TSN is an ~ all-out predator.
You can see that RTC is built as a scavenger, not a streamlined, hydrodynamic, camouflaged predator, such as TSN. TSN is an ambush predator for the largest part. When it hangs in the weeds, driftwood, simply murky water, etc. face-on, it has a very small profile, just like even better predators like perches and pikes and arowanas and arapaimas. The prey sees a small "face", fish, stick, piece of weed, etc., which, when turned sidewise, turns out to be a huge fish. Hence, the name too Pseudo-platy-stoma = Fake-flat(read deceivingly flat or collapsible)-mouth.
RTC has a stealth factor of a hippopotamus with its humongous head (Phracto-cephalus = Fence-head, ~ armored, protective head, ram head, etc.) and bulky, thick body and is as camouflaged as a mating male cichlid or a peacock in heat with its blazing white side stripe and red in the fins, white "lips" and white barbels. Sure it can easily catch live prey in confines of someone's tank and such "horror" stories abound. It does not mean it is a predator. It is opportunistic, which means it will make due with what it thinks it has. It is far more adaptable than TSN. My RTCs took all foods no matter of their physical distribution within the water column.
As I said, mine largest TSNs (2'+) have taken to pellets too but I am dubious they'd thrive on them. Just because you saw a TSN take a pellet, it does not mean much, it certainly does not mean that chances are you can feed yours only or mostly pellets.
I've seen people drink hard liquor. It does not mean they can survive on it instead of water, neither does it mean the hard liquor is good for them
