HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishGobiesYano?s cheek-hook goby Yano?s cheek-hook goby (Ancistrogobius yanoi) Scientific name: Ancistrogobius yanoi Shibukawa, Yoshino & Allen, 2010 The Yano?s cheek-hook goby (Ancistrogobius yanoi) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Japan to Indonesia, to the Solomons. Two specimens from the Red Sea provisionally identified as this species. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9. This species differs from its congeners in having the following set of characters: no scales on head and most of nape (no predorsal scales); third spine of first dorsal fin elongate and filamentous, obviously longer than preceding spine (at least in specimens that are more than 21 mm SL), with alternating pale and dusky pattern in life or when fresh (typically faded and indistinct in preserved specimens, but its distal tip tinged with black); 17-19 (usually 18 or 19) pectoral-fin rays 1; pelvic fins fused medially by well developed connecting membrane and frenum (frenum often rudimentary); fifth segmented ray of pelvic fin 89.9-100.0% of preceding ray in length; faint, dusky blotches below eye (not forming a distinct vertical bar); distal tip of first dorsal fin with a black blotch, relatively wide, extending posteriorly to just behind third spine (but not to middle of third interSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAncistrogobius yanoiFamilyGobiidae (Gobies)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.7Depth range0–12 m (0–39 ft)EnvironmentMarine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 12 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: Japan to Indonesia, to the Solomons. Two specimens from the Red Sea provisionally identified as this species.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