{"product_id":"red-line-lizard-tetra","title":"Red Line Lizard Tetra","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Line Lizard Tetra, Iguanodectes geisleri, is a slender South American characin native to the Amazon Basin, particularly river systems in Brazil and Peru. It inhabits clearwater and blackwater streams, quiet tributaries, and forested river margins where submerged roots, branches, leaf litter, and overhanging vegetation provide shelter. These environments are typically warm, soft, and acidic, with gentle to moderate water movement. Its elongated body and distinctive coloration make it one of the more unusual and elegant tetras available in the aquarium hobby.\u003cbr\u003eAdult Red Line Lizard Tetras typically reach about 2.5 to 3 inches in length. The body is exceptionally slender and elongated, with a streamlined, almost pencilfish-like appearance that gives rise to the common name Lizard Tetra. Its most striking feature is the vivid red to reddish-orange horizontal stripe running along the upper flank, complemented by a darker longitudinal stripe and a beautiful metallic silver to golden base coloration. Depending on lighting and condition, the scales may reflect subtle green, blue, or bronze iridescence, while the fins remain mostly translucent with occasional yellowish or reddish highlights. The combination of its brilliant red lateral coloration and unusually elongated body makes this species especially attractive when maintained in a large school.\u003cbr\u003eA tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended for a proper school, with longer aquariums preferred to accommodate their active swimming behavior. Red Line Lizard Tetras should be maintained in groups of at least eight, although larger schools create a more impressive display and encourage natural social behavior. The aquarium should provide generous open swimming space along with driftwood, branches, plants, and shaded areas around the perimeter. A darker substrate and subdued lighting help emphasize their metallic coloration and brilliant red stripe.\u003cbr\u003eWater conditions should remain stable, clean, and well oxygenated. Temperatures between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit are appropriate, with a pH range of approximately 5.5 to 7.2 and soft to moderately soft water preferred. Although relatively adaptable once established, Red Line Lizard Tetras display their best coloration and behavior in clean, stable water with regular water changes and good filtration. Gentle to moderate current is beneficial, but excessively turbulent conditions should be avoided.\u003cbr\u003eRed Line Lizard Tetras are omnivorous micropredators that naturally consume small insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, zooplankton, and other tiny aquatic organisms. In the aquarium they readily accept high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, bloodworms, and other appropriately sized foods. A varied diet containing regular frozen or live foods helps maintain strong coloration and overall condition.\u003cbr\u003eTemperament is peaceful, active, and social. Red Line Lizard Tetras coexist well with other non-aggressive South American species, including Corydoras, pencilfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids, small rasboras, hatchetfish, and similarly sized tetras. They are generally non-territorial and spend much of their time swimming gracefully through the middle and upper portions of the aquarium. Their elongated body shape and coordinated schooling behavior create a particularly attractive display in spacious planted aquariums.\u003cbr\u003eBreeding remains uncommon in captivity and is not well documented. Like other small characins, Red Line Lizard Tetras are believed to scatter eggs among aquatic vegetation or other spawning material without providing parental care. Soft, slightly acidic water and a dedicated breeding setup may improve the likelihood of successful spawning, although reliable breeding methods have not been widely established.\u003cbr\u003eIguanodectes geisleri is a beautiful and relatively uncommon South American tetra that combines a brilliant red lateral stripe, metallic body coloration, and an exceptionally slender profile. Its peaceful nature, active schooling behavior, and elegant appearance make the Red Line Lizard Tetra an outstanding choice for aquarists seeking something distinctive for a planted Amazonian community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nu Aqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67718370623804,"sku":"FISH-545","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1810\/0284\/files\/shutterstock_1219471324.jpg?v=1792175928","url":"https:\/\/nuaquashop.com\/products\/red-line-lizard-tetra","provider":"Nu Aqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}