Scalicus engyceros is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Peristediidae, the armoured gurnards or armored sea robins.

It is a benthic species of rocky and sandy substrates at depths between 200 and 662 m (656 and 2,172 ft)[1] Other members of the family Peristediidae are often found in the Indo-West Pacific, specifically central and western Pacific on the Emperor Seamount Chain.

[5] The family Perstiediidae is unique in that their body is encased in heavily armored plates, detached pectoral fin rays, rostral projections, and barbels on the lower jaw.

[10] Members of Peristediidae use their sensory projections to hunt for food considering the weak light at the depth in which they reside.

[7] They use detached pectoral-fins and rostral projections to hunt for benthic fish and crustaceans that live within the sand.

[10] The genus Scalicus also fills an ecological niche that not many others can fit by living near seamounts, which are not extremely populated due to their depth and environment.

[12] Members of Peristediidae specifically have been caught by scientists purely from by-catch of bottom trawling.

[10] The nets have been known to destroy egg and larval stages of many fish species that live in these areas.

[6] Because Scalicus engyceros and many other deep sea dwelling fish reside on around these areas, seamount advocation for management and conservation are becoming more pronounced.