How long does BRB breeding take?

[Rainbowsrus]

I get asked that question all the time so for those wanting to know:

BRB breeding timeline based on my history over the last 5 years:


Mating starts as early as first introduction in Mid January for some pairings while others can ignore each other until as late as mid June.

Typical mating will last on average three weeks and can be as little as no (or one) observed matings to as long as two months going at it off and on.

After the last observed mating, ovulation will occur approximately two weeks later with POS just over two weeks after that.

More often than not the ovulation will not be obvious or happens at a time when you're not looking so often there will only be mating activity followed by a shed around 1 month later. That 1 month average span between mating and POS can range from 2 weeks to 2 1/2 months.


After the POS will come a long period of gestation. at 82 degrees my average is 117 days with a range from 106 to 129 days. I have observed that gestation at lower temperatures does take longer. two degrees lower adds 10 days to the average gestation.