Cant get my rats to breed.

So about 8 weeks ago I got some weaned rats to raise and try to breed. I got 1.3 and they didn't eat the mazuri 6f I had right off so I gave them some fruit and they grew a little and started eating the lab block. They have been growing a lot for about 5 week but now have slowed down and I assumed they were about to start breeding. 3 weeks later no babies and the girls are looking slim not prego. I am keeping them in a 20 gal long aquarium. I gave them a hide and I clean 2 times a week. The shed they are in stays between 75-85 degrees. Does anyone have any thoughts on why they aren't reproducing or what other info should I give you.

They will breed. Just give them some time to grow, though rats can breed from the time they are weaned, most wait till a little later. Don't worry, it's better to let them put on some weight before they start anyway. This will maximize litter size, and it's healthier for the animals.

85 is pretty high. We keep ours between 75-78 at all times. And a fan running 24/7 on them. I used an aquarium but I hated cleaning it. We use rat racks and they work perfectly. 10x easier to clean. Also, make sure you look up what fruits are safe, I believe i read somewhere that a few fruits are toxic. Best of luck!

They are probably still young, especially the male. males tend to take a little longer to mature and stay breeding. It also sounds like they are a bit too warm. Rats prefer cooler temperatures and start getting uncomfortable after 75 degrees. If the temperatures are too high they are less likely to breed.