These two passed the test. I saw them at Fish Gallery, left them at the store, and could not stop thinking about them so I had to go back and get them right?!
I did what I could to pick two of the same sex, but it looks like I did not accomplish this. I bought these two last week, and they have built a nest and are defending it well against all comers. They are shaking and shimmering at one another all day long and I have seen the ovipositor on what I can only guess is the female. These fish are historically bad parents, sometimes getting the fry to free swimming stage, then losing interest in both the fry and their mate. So we will see how this works out. They have dug a very deep hole in the sand and are cleaning the rock diligently while trying to keep everyone out of this corner.
I did what I could to pick two of the same sex, but it looks like I did not accomplish this. I bought these two last week, and they have built a nest and are defending it well against all comers. They are shaking and shimmering at one another all day long and I have seen the ovipositor on what I can only guess is the female. These fish are historically bad parents, sometimes getting the fry to free swimming stage, then losing interest in both the fry and their mate. So we will see how this works out. They have dug a very deep hole in the sand and are cleaning the rock diligently while trying to keep everyone out of this corner.