Some fish strike whatever moves. For my Perch, he only shows interest if something is moving and appears live. Sometimes if a little plant debris or whatever floats around he goes up to it as if he is gonan attack but doesnt once he figures out it isnt alive. He eats guppies, small goldfish and ghost shrimp. I think I am gonna get pellets or something or maybe even earthworms and somehow maniplute it for him to try and eat it, by moving it around or something. Since I can take the food into the water and drop it near him, I can use that for maybe he might just take it right away like he does when I drop a shrimp or fish. Its a tough job so maybe you might have to come with some tricks ot trick the fish