[2][3] Its body is silvery in color, its fins are largely translucent, and it lacks a red lateral stripe (which is seen in multiple other members of the genus).

[10] American ichthyologist Edward Drinker Cope later described it as Iguanodectes tenuis in 1872, under the impression that he was studying a separate species entirely;[11] this was possibly due to the varying coloration of I.

Its generic placement within Iguanodectes, a novel genus upon nomination of I. tenuis, was deemed correct based on morphological features, but spilurus became the accepted specific epithet, as it was established prior.

[5] Iguanodectes spilurus sometimes goes by the common name "green-line lizard tetra", based on the way its lateral-line scales reflect green light.

[1][16][17] Iguanodectes spilurus is omnivorous, and is a visual animal, using sight to pursue prey (as opposed to a mechanism like sensory barbels).

[6] Iguanodectes spilurus is subject to infection by parasitic nematode larvae of several genera that colonize various internal organs and bodily systems.

[19] It prefers to be kept in schools of at least 5 congeners, and an optimal aquarium setup for I. spilurus reportedly includes ample swimming room near the surface of the water.

[2] Iguanodectes as a genus is not a common sight in the aquarium industry, but is sometimes exported from its native range to countries including Germany and Poland.

[20][21] While some aquarists have found success with various flake and pellet formulated food recipes, many have experienced a finicky diet for I.spilurus noting that in particular they exhibit high energy but expert it without feeding on a regular schedule when compared to tank mates, even similar or related species.