Edit Iguanodectes spilurus
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Name
Scientific name
Iguanodectes spilurus
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1864, Bracketed
Family
Iguanodectidae
Common names
Green Line Lizard Tetra
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The green line lizard tetra, Iguanodectes spilurus, is a characin found throughout the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo and Tocantins river syste…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
102mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7.5
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, Amazon, Apure, Aruau, Baures, Blanco (Bolivia), Casiquiare, Caura, Cupari, Essequibo, Guaporé, Guariquito, Hyanuary, Iriri, Itaya, Kurupung, Manuripi, Mazaruni, Nanay, Napo, Okuwa, Orinoco, Pastaza, Paucerna, Tacana, Tapajós, Tocantins, Ucayali, Ventuari, Xingu
Writing
Etymology
Iguanodectes: from the Taino iwana, meaning 'lizard', and Ancient Greek déktés, meaning 'biter'. spilurus: from the Ancient Greek σπῖλος (spilos), meaning 'spo…
Distribution
Widely-distributed throughout the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and Tocantins river systems in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana. T…
Habitat
Little information is available but presumably favours minor tributaries, smaller rivers, oxbows, and flooded forests rather than main river channels. In the O…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with surface dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or similar should be the smallest considered.
Maintenance
Probably most-suited to an arrangement comprising a sandy substrate plus some driftwood roots and branches, although it should also thrive in a planted set-up.…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Likely to be omnivorous feeding on small invertebrates, crustacea, filamentous algae, fallen fruit and suchlike in nature. In aquaria it may survive on a diet …
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. It’s perhaps best-maintained alongside similarly-sized characids, gas…
Sexual dimorphism
Nuptial males develop hooks and lappets on the anterior anal-fin rays.
Reproduction
Not written yet
Notes
This species has also been referred to as 'slender', 'spindle', or 'iguana' tetra, and it is the most widespread Iguanodectes species. It can be told apart fro…
References
References
9 on this profile