barcheek goby
A species of freshwater goby (Rhinogobius giurinus) found in East Asia. The Japanese name literally means 'paradise goby'.
The barcheek goby is a small type of goby commonly found in Japanese rivers.
Standard katakana spelling for this fish name.
Kanji spelling is rare and the second character is not a standard jōyō kanji; the word is usually written in kana.
The name is a compound of 極楽 (gokuraku, 'paradise') and ハゼ (haze, 'goby'). The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but it may refer to the fish's bright coloration or its habitat in clear, pleasant streams.