Man, took most of July to get 4 of my 6 2.5in Dats to eating Aqueon Shrimp Pellets. Didn't starve them. I started feeding them frozen blood worms 2x' s a day for a couple weeks, then switched to early once a day every other day dropping a few pellets in at night. One started to eat and spit then eat and swallow, I only put in what they eat when they stop eating I stop feeding. they swim up to grab pellets, I can see they getting thick and colorful. the other 2 are not as full. I chose shrimp pellets cause their the perfect size and sink slowly, when they get bigger ill switch to hikari massivore delite . its so cool watching them take turns getting pellets till their stomach is full. water changes every Friday with a dose and a half of prime seems to be the key to their growth. also have 3 plecos helping out in my 135g. peace