Green lizard tetra
Iguanodectes spilurus
Also known as Lizard tetra, Green line tetra, Slender tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 32 gal
- 120 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Iguanodectidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin and the Guianas in South America.
Overview
The green lizard tetra is a long, slender, peaceful tetra for a planted community tank. It is a step up from the easiest tetras.
Did you know
The green lizard tetra's long, pencil-thin body sets it apart from the usual diamond-shaped tetras. It also gives it a distinctive, gliding way of swimming.
Caring for the green lizard tetra
Keep green lizard tetras in a shoal of at least 6 to 8. A well planted tank of at least 32 gal (120 L) suits them, with plenty of open swimming room. A dark substrate and soft, tannin-stained water bring out their green and gold sheen.
Hold the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. The green lizard tetra is peaceful and a little shy. It is safe in a community, but avoid boisterous tank mates that will outcompete it.
Good to know
Iguanodectes spilurus belongs to the family Iguanodectidae. Its green and gold body carries a fine dark stripe. The slender, lizard-like shape gives it its common name, and it is also sold as the lizard tetra or green line tetra.
In the wild
The green lizard tetra lives in soft, often tannin-stained streams and flooded forest of the Amazon and the Guianas. It shoals in the middle water among wood and marginal plants. The water there is warm, gentle and slightly acidic.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The green lizard tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Twig catfish
Farlowella vittata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Bugeye squeaker
Synodontis contractus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a green lizard tetra need?
A green lizard tetra needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a green lizard tetra need?
A green lizard tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big does a green lizard tetra get?
An adult green lizard tetra reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Does a green lizard tetra need a group?
Yes. A green lizard tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Adujai lizard tetra
Iguanodectes adujai
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Amazon molly
Poecilia formosa
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Apsara barb
Dawkinsia apsara
3.5 in (9 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Brichard's Congo tetra
Alestopetersius brichardi
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Brilliant rasbora
Rasbora einthovenii
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Bunau barb
Barbodes bunau
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)