Gollon's SMB are raised on pellets but "weaned off?" to FHM about a month before stocking. Mine have no interest in pellets even if hydrated and coated with cod liver oil. Perch won't eat them either, but the GSF sure do. Toss a frog or worms in and the SMB will body slam through the GSF to win.
They have incredible eyesight! My water is so clear on a calm evening I can easily watch them down 6'. Toss pellets - no response, fling a worm and they are tracking it in flight and on it when it hits! Fun to watch them chase dragon flies too.
