Perc and oc clowns became pair?

I introduced a perc clown to my system after I had a ocellaris clown. The two hit it off right away and started "hanging out" together all the time. Now I have noticed the larger perc clown to have gotten a slightly swollen belly. Its not much but slightly... She swims and eats fine, which leads me to think she is carrying eggs. I might be wrong but what I have read, the larger clown usually becomes the female through force. I have noticed her nipping at the oc clown too, he doesnt put up much of a fight either. Which leads me to think the perc has already declared dominance.

Any thoughts? I guess I just want to be reassured that its nothing to worry about with the swollen belly

Also I don't feed flake food. I have read that sometimes fish get air in them from eating flakes

 

i would not worry, it might be eggs but i wouldn't be disappointed if it were not the case. the hatchlings have a close to zero chance of survival in a closed system unless caught right on time and placed in a dedicated nursery.

my female true percula has been renamed the "carp" she literally looks like one slight hump on the back and fat stomach.

clearly a picture is worth 1000 words

my 2 cents

 

It would also help to know how long you have had both fish. You can have an occ and and perc pair up. Has been done before.

Fish will not have eggs until about 2 years (sometimes little less).

What you are describing seems to be what clowns do when they have a clutch. Have you noticed them cleaning part of the tank??

 

@swiss Thanks, I wen't to go snap a photo but the swell is gone

@clown I had the Ocellaris clown for about a year in a larger tank. I moved him to the smaller tank when I got the percula about 2 months ago(not exact). About 3 days in I noticed that the perc was nipping at the ocellaris and he wouldn't put up a fight and just started twitching to show he had given up. Now for the last week I have noticed them cleaning off a the rock that the anemone is attached too.

So I think its safe to say they are a pair? Also when the time comes when they do lay the eggs... how do I move them to a nursery? just physically remove the eggs? Lol I have a nursery set up and waiting for the day ;D

 

I also have a Black and White Ocellaris and Onyx Percula who are a pair. Love the color contrast