The eggs are laid
Eggs under water
Mating lasts about two minutes, after which the eggs are laid. The female perches on a plant and dips her abdomen beneath the water's surface. The eggs are forced out of the abdomen and ressed into the submerged stalk of the plant.
Male on guard
During the entire egg-laying process, the male keeps close watch. He perches beside the female, on the lookout for any males that might try to mate with her. The eggs develop over two weeks and emerge as larvae that live in the water.
