HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishGobiesScaly cheek-hook goby Scaly cheek-hook goby (Ancistrogobius squamiceps) Scientific name: Ancistrogobius squamiceps Shibukawa, Yoshino & Allen, 2010 The Scaly cheek-hook goby (Ancistrogobius squamiceps) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Northwest Pacific, Japan. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is unique from its congeners in having the following characters: nape broadly covered by scales (12 predorsal scales); with patch of scales on upper part of operculum; in life or when fresh, filamentous part of third dorsal spine entirely pale; anterior tip of sensory papilla row b meeting row 3 anteriorly; sensory papilla rows x^1 and x^2 continuous, not interrupted by row trp (sensory papilla rows trp short, restricted under rows x^1 + x^2); third spine of first dorsal fin elongate, filamentous, distinctly longer than preceding spine; 20 pectoral-fin rays; pelvic fins fused medially, well developed connecting membrane and frenum; length of fifth segmented ray of pelvic fin 85.0-92.4% of preceding ray; a distinct, black vertical bar below eye; distal tip of first dorsal fin with a black blotch, wide, extending posteriorly to middle of third interspinal membrane; senSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAncistrogobius squamicepsFamilyGobiidae (Gobies)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.0Depth range20–30 m (66–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; benthopelagic; depth range 20 - 30 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionNorthwest Pacific: Japan.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmless SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026