Thanks for mentioning that Roy as I have notice my two male Mercs attempt mating relatively often (there is no female in the tank). Initially, I thought one was female but he matured later than the obvious male. At this point (they are a year old this week) they seem to just reach out and explore each others mantle without a lot of insistence. If one happens to find the mantle opening, the one that is being touched usually jets off (no ink) but then they meet back up on the other side of the tank.