Thats interesting Liz.. usually they would not stop eating them once they started. I wonder if it was a panic response..like "oh no" the babies are in trouble..better catch them and protect them... then gulp! Uh oh... My pea brain forgot they were family not food!
I've seen mine try and catch the wigglers with their mouths when they first start going free swimming and spit them back at the cone ..its kind of comical as so many start leaving the cone that parents give up. I'm sure a few get swallowed in the process.
Hopefully your pair continues parenting properly!
Al