Red Line Lizard Tetra (Iguanodectes geisleri) Species Profile & Care Guide
The Red Line Lizard Tetras are a scarce, peaceful, enjoyable, medium-sized freshwater fish that grows up to 9cm long. They are slow-moving and appear to swim against the current in slow motion. Their slim bodies seem to wiggle as they swim against the current of the water. They will offer an excellent addition to a community aquarium.
Red Line Lizard Tetras have three longitudinal bands on the flank starting at the end of the operculum, 1 is a red-pink colour, the other is a yellowish colour, and the other is a dark almost black, decreasing and ending below the adipose fin. They also have two red spots in the caudal peduncle over a large black patch, both of which extend halfway into the caudal fin. Their dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, caudal and anal have an intense yellow-gold colour that fades out towards the ends of the fins. Their body colours seem to change a lot, from a light beige to a bright green.
| Quick Facts | |
| Scientific Name | Iguanodectes geisleri |
| Other Names | Three-banded lizard tetra |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Iguanodectes |
| Origins | South America |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 5 - 6 years |
| Water Conditions | |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| Temperature | 73 - 80 ℉ (22.8 - 26.7 ℃) |
| PH | 5 - 7 |
| GH | 2 - 10 |
Natural Habitat of the Red Line Lizard Tetra
Unfortunately, there is also little information about this species due to the scarcity, but the Red Line Lizard Tetra supposedly inhabits fast-flowing tributaries with thick, riparian, overhanging vegetation and substrate covered in, tree roots, leaf litter and fallen branches in the Rios Madeira and Rio Negro Rivers within the Brazilan Amazon basin, and upper Rio Orinoco system in Venezuela in South America.
The water is typically acidic and stained a brownish colour due to decomposing organic matter.
Other Tetras of interest
Diet
The Red line Lizard Tetra will require a balanced diet of flakes and granules as well as live and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, Moina and bloodworms to maintain their health and colour.
Sexing the Red Line Lizard Tetra
It is relatively easy to determine males from females. Adult males can be easily recognised as they display red markings in the pectoral, pelvic, caudal and anal fins which are lacking in females.
Breeding the Red Line Lizard Tetra
Unfortunately little is known about breeding this species as they are sporadic in the home aquarium.
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