neol. brichardi divorce?

[TaffyFish]

My brichardi have had 4 spawns of fry in the last few months, the last only about a week ago. Immediately after a water change yesterday the adults started fighting - full mouthlock combat on several occasions with the f chasing the m and not letting it rest. No harm done except bruising in the mouth area and a couple of tears in the f's dorsal fin.

This went off for a couple of hours, then they seemed to settle down. The f seems to be acting in a contrite manner, swimming with head down at 45 degrees in the water when the m is nearby.

The young (20+ in this tank from all 4 spawns) just seem to be ignoring the rumpus.

Whatever it was that sparked off the row, are these the signs that they have settled or do brichardi divorce as bloodily as julidochromis?

 

[TaffyFish]

It gets stranger!

Got home from work this evening to find all 9 small fish from spawn 3 (30 August) swimming together at the front corner of the tank away from the rockwork. The parents are in and out of the rockwork with the 9 remaining fish from spawns 1 (16 July) and 2 (06 August). There are no fry evident from spawn 4 (14 October).

What has gone on here?

Is it possible that the male decided the tank was too full and has eaten all the fry - sparking the female into the fight? Has he now expelled the small fish from spawn 3? Could it be that the tank is underfed?