Aggressive tendencies were clearly evidenced around spawning time, even amongst the females. Both sexes had taken up territories under rocks and cover, with the alpha male taking up residence in the premium caves. No substrate cleaning was observed, nor was any nest preparation evident. They did defend their territories with diligence, and many lower lobes of caudal fins were missing as a result of brief clashes. The chief male's blackness intensified during spawning, though his spots and the black bands in his fins were still plainly visible.
Females remain unchanged aside from obvious swelling from ripening eggs.
Every two weeks, a fifty-percent water change was performed. During these water changes, I would examine plants and gravel to detect eggs. In mid-April, I discovered several very large eggs, about 2mm in diameter, located on top of the gravel within a male's cave. Spawning would seem to start at 60 o F and would continue through the lower 70's. Although I would consistently find eggs laid in the indicated area, and very rarely at the bases of the plastic plants, I never witnessed egg deposition.