Possibly bonded already?

[Reef kid]

alright guys, five days ago I put a 2 1/2in black onyx with a one and a 1 1/4 inch Picasso. I was expecting clown war 7..... Instead all I got was instant friends. Now around the two day mark the small one did quiver and shake throughout the day. But they have slept together and hang out all the time. How long before they are sexually mature and are able to spawn? I think it's just from food because I have an automatic feeder but the large one already seems to be getting thicker in the abdomen, it is really swelling.

 

[cmac330]

Spawning is not an exact science, it will happen on it's own schedule if at all. Your picasso could still be in a juvenile state and could take time to reach maturity. Juveniles can still bond to a dominant female, and in fact this is the easiest way to avoid fighting. The fact that the female did not show aggression to the new male is just as likely a suggestion that she is not fully developed and ready to lay as it is because she is ready to lay. Personally, I would not be in a hurry to have them lay as the aggression level goes up substantially when they are ready to.