I agree that it looks more blike bricks than scales. The major thing, I think, is that the contrast is too high, the dividing lines too dark. Because of that, if it were to cover a whole piece, it might get a bit distracting (details in the face, say, might get obscured/overshadowed by the texture). Also, scales tend to overlap one another and form (if any geometric pattern) more of a diamond shape than a straight rectangle.
That said though, this is a pretty cool texture in its own right, and is (along with the lighting) really well executed here. I'd be interested to see where you could take this.
Pixel forth and conquer, good sir.