My pikes laugh at me when I put pellets in the tank, and they watch my jags and silver dollars eat them like they love'em. My Atabopa Fires where a little more stubborn, not wanting froozen or freeze dried, but all my pikes will take froozen and freeze dried food now with no problem at all, they love it. Have you tried Froozen Blood worms and Brine Shrimp, maybe Krill too?