Here is an update – the pair spawned a second time (see previous photos above), a few larvae hatched out of the ~20 eggs, and fewer still developed further and I am not sure they became free-swimming as they disappeared after just a few days. The issue: I did not lower the conductivity below 70µS and this resulted in an unsuccessful development of fry. Having seen these results first hand, I made sure to lower the conductivity to a few point below 50µS. A third spawning took place, but this time in leaves and I could not witness the effect of better water parameters on the developing eggs and larvae.
With better conductivity maintained, a fourth spawning has just taken place, this time back in the canister and I was able to take some good photos of the courtship displays and spawning sequence, so I thought I would share them here.
The healthy male feeding
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The harmonious and beautiful pair.
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The female (with male nudging her from below in preparation for eventual spawning).
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The female comes into spawning condition as evidenced by her change in color.
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The male courts the female with the the usual horizontal displays from below.
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After the vigorous displays, the female became ready and the actual spawning commenced.
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The spawning complete, the female leaves the nest.
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After a few days, a much better hatch rate with the better conductivity. So it really does matter to get this parameter correct. Here the male tends the newly hatched larvae. Hopefully they will develop into free-swimming fry and live to grow.
https://youtu.be/yq87VxxMSyw