There's no point in putting an opaque male in with a female, so don't bother with that--but the male won't care if the female is opaque. There's a wonderful window right after the female sheds where her pheromones are through the roof, so you'll get great locks if the male is in with her when she sheds. I've found males locked with opaque females as well.
I'm going to avoid it. But, I understand your concern. My fire female is in the blue right now and I really want to pair her up now. I'll give her time to shed properly.
Here comes breeding season!!!