Advice pls re mating or killing?

[Dillybythesea]

These two Asellus aquaticus (not sure of the correct common name?) came up with some blanket weed yesterday, and grimly held on despite being returned to the shallows near the edge.
I took a shot although I know it's a bit controversial about wildlife privacy these days.
But given that they seemed to be locked head to head, are they battling rather than mating?

[Wetnwild]

Hmm, hard to say. I'd prefer to think they're loving rather than fighting and to be honest I'd think two mating animals are more likely to keep their association when disturbed than two fighting ones.

The common name for these round my way is water hoglouse.

[Dillybythesea]

Well I very much like your positive thinking Wetnwild - and actually the logic sounds spot on too!

Thank you for spreading a little sunshine! ATB, Dill