None of these guys have ever eaten pellets. They were all raised on live blackworms, live brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp and freeze dried krill. The newly hatched fry eat baby powder food and baby frozen brine shrimp. They have all been raised in unheated tanks with temperatures ranging from 70-76 degrees depending on the time of year. I've been keeping my eyes open for another strain to cross with these if the inbreeding becomes a problem but I just can't find anything that a feel with blend well with my existing line.