Labs are insectivorous(spelling?)? Everything I read said they need a
diet that consists mostly of vegetable matter. I have 5 in a 29 with a
pleco, and have been feeding them cichlid pelets for ages. I recently
switched from them to using mostly crushed up algae disks (which say the
main ingredient is Spirulina) and they started breeding. I would agree
with what I read and argue that a diet low in protein and high in
vegetable matter is better for labs.

I have also read that a lot of protein in a Yellow Lab's diet will cause
it to catch the untreatable and often fatal Malawi bloat.

Larry, you might consider a softened leaf of lettuce at least once in a
while. If you can weight it to get it down to the lab, I'm sure she
(which she is sure to be if she isn't showing any black) will really
appreciate it.

I agree that a male would be a good addition to your tank, but don't
expect them to breed with a pH of seven. They really should have a
higher pH, and in the long run I don't know what the low pH and hardness
your rams require is going to do to their immune system.

I hope the best for you, but let me go on the record as agreeing that
you probably should not be keeping the labs in those kind of conditions.
They are really cool fish, and I would suggest setting up a 29 with some
slate and coral sand for substrate, and they will more than likely
breed. My lab tank that I have set up like that is my favorite of all of
them that I have. Good luck with your fish.



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