Green lizard tetra
Iguanodectes spilurus
Also known as Lizard tetra, Green line tetra, Slender tetra
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
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin and the Guianas in South America.
- Family
- Iguanodectidae
Overview
Keep this elongated tetra in a shoal of at least 6 to 8 in a well planted tank with open swimming room. It is peaceful and a little shy, so avoid boisterous tankmates that will outcompete it. Soft, tannin stained water and dark substrate bring out the green and gold sheen.
In the wild
Lives in soft, often tannin stained streams and flooded forest of the Amazon and Guianas. It shoals in the middle water among wood and marginal plants. The water is warm, gentle, and slightly acidic.
Good to know
Iguanodectes spilurus is an unusually long, thin tetra reaching around 8 cm, with a green and gold body and a fine dark stripe. It belongs to the family Iguanodectidae. The slender, lizard like shape gives it its common name.
Did you know
Its long, pencil thin body sets it apart from the usual diamond shaped tetras and gives it a distinctive gliding way of swimming.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Green lizard tetra?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Porthole livebearer
Poeciliopsis gracilis3.5 in (9 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Striped glass catfish
Kryptopterus macrocephalus3.5 in (9 cm)36 gal (135 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Madagascar rainbowfish
Bedotia madagascariensis3.3 in (8.5 cm)45 gal (170 L)73–90°F (23–32°C)
Cuban limia
Limia vittata3.9 in (10 cm)18 gal (70 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Celebes rainbow
Marosatherina ladigesi3.1 in (8 cm)25 gal (95 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)