`OK... more developments.... having convinced myself that I now have a M/F pair, and the third (original fish) is male and relocated, they failed to produce babies at their first attempt, but showed clear indications that they'd read the mating instruction manual.
I explained how I moved the pot to somewhere they'd cause less destruxtion and they chose to ignore it completely. So, having repaired their vandalism, the pot was moved back to it's original place and within a day, they again showed interest and soon showed the same spawning activity, swimming across the roof to lay eggs. Unfortunately, the angle of the pot and the detritus placed infront makes it impossible to clarly see in there, but I did notice that one of the fish swam out of the pot, still with 2 or 3 eggs stuck to her(?) belly. This raised some doubts in my mind as I'd been convinced that was a him... is it posible that while he was swmming upside down to fertilize the eggs, he dislodged some and they stuck to him? Anyway, A week passed since, again with no sign of babies, but I'm sure they're pretty determined.
A thrd attempt by our loving couple on Sunday evening (17th Jan) saw them being unco-operative and they could be clearly seen to be alternating in swimming down BEHIND the cave out of view... first one fish disappearing for a few moments before re-emerging and the second fish following on. This continued for several hours and the following morning, things were quiet again, with a notable sentry presence in that area of the tank.
Returning home on Monday evening found them having a damn good fisticuffs for half an hour, and they are now avoiding each other. Wendnesday afternoon, I've noticed the colours seem much more faded, and he is showing his tail fin to have been very badly nipped, almost totally gone in the scuffles
Hopewfully this is just a lover's tiff and they will make peace and babies!!
I'm going to try to remember how to upload some film of them, but also will chuck a couple of phots here if I can..
