missing Brevis

I have 2 Brevis (sunspot) in a 20g sand heavy shell tank.

i think i have a pair because of the size differants, anyway, assuming i have a pair, i have lost the female, i don't want to desturb the shell that she and he had shared just in case she is in there caring for her littles ones if any.

she has not come out of the shell (assuming she is in there) for a few day, not even to eat.


he continues to go into the shell, and stay there for awhile.

not sure what is going on. i did a w/c to see if i smell anything roten or any signs of the female, but nothing new.

is this behavior of one of a new parent?
will they normaly go days with out eating to care for the young?

she might be eating if the flakes fall into the shell, which it could happend since the shell is facing up.

now the male is inside the shell that i think the female is in. he did not come out this morning to eat, was in there all day, i did grab the shell and started to look for movement, i did! but only saw him move can't tell what else is going on in there.

ok, the male came out after 5 or six days in the shell, he doesn't look good, has spots (brighter) on him and he is not eating. not sure about the female she is still MIA!