S. decorus: change in behavior- good, bad or breeding?

[troi]

How to start this story?

I have three S. decorus, one I have had for close to five years, sex unknown; the other two I have had maybe nine months and still had the last of the juvenile coloration when I got them. Again, sex unknown.

For the last several days, the big adult is hanging out in his/her cave more and guarding it more aggressively. One of the younger fish is staying in a smaller adjoining cave and is skittish when it comes out. The third decorus seems out of the loop and gets chased off by the bigger fish. It seems that when the shy, hiding youngster comes out, the other youngster chases it.

Do these fish NEST? I thought they were egg scatterers. There is an area under the big fish cave that is clear of gravel. I know better than to assume, but it would suggest to me that the big fish swept the gravel off (or sent if flying when he/she was startled).

Other odd things in the tank: I found the younger cave dwelling decorus hiding upside down in its cave, but when I got too close, it righted itself. It was standing on its head earlier today, which is a behavior I frequently see in the S. decorus. Very skittish when out of the cave.

The last water change was a bit warmer than normal. The S. eupterus went nuts soon thereafter. I have had fish fights after a water change before, pretty nasty, actually, but this was clearly spawning behavior: "come here, go away", belly bumping, fin nipping, charging, T-position, side by side nose to tail,and talking. The paraphenalia around the vent, the stuff Les Mumford so elegantly called "thingies", was easily seen as differnt (never could see the difference before). And I saw ONE egg on the anal fin of one fish, presumablly the female.

The decoruses did not do any of those things. Just took to the caves. Does anyone know if this cave hiding and increased aggression and skittishness is typical of S. decorus spawning behavior? Do these fish actually pick mates? I just don't expect that of a catfish, the old scoundrals. Could the young decours have picked up the upside behavior from the eupterus(es)? ( I can't shake the sense that catfish are smarter than most fish)

Or should I start worrying and catch the smaller hiding fish and take a close look?

Everyone still comes out to eat and they all roam a bit at night.

Next time, Ill call these fish by name-- if ya'll lpromise not to laugh at me--because it would be easier.

best to all,
troi