The cellular organization of the skin of two ornamental fish; red-tail shark (Epalzeorhynchosbicolor) and guppy
(Poeciliareticulata) were studied by light microscope as wellas scanning electron microscope. The skin of the two
species was composed of epidermis, dermisand hypodermis, although the epidermis showed great variations in
their components in the twospecies. The epidermis of red- tail shark consisted of epidermal cells, mucous goblet
cells, serousgoblet cells, club cells, rodlet cells and melanocytes. While, the epidermis of guppy was composed of
epidermal cells, mucous goblet cells, eosinophilic granular cells, lymphocytes and melanocytes. The skin of red- tail
shark included a variety of sense organs as tuberous receptor organs in thehead, superficial neuro masts on the
lower lips and the head, canalneuromast in the operculum and the head, and taste buds on the lips, operculum,
dorsum of the head and lateral regions of the trunk. However, the skin of guppy was characterized by presence of
ampullary organ on the dorsal side of the head, superficial neuromasts on the lips and the head, canal neuromast
in the operculum and the head, and taste buds on the operculum, dorsum of the head and trunk regions. These
structuralpeculiarities with histochemical features indicate additional physiological role of the skin of the two species,
as the mucous goblet cells in the two species contained a considerable amount of glycoconjugates, whereas the
other unicellular gland types, the serous goblet cells and club cells in red tail shark were proteinous in nature.
The dermis and hypodermis was composed of connective tissue, mainly collagenous fibers. Scanning electron
microscopy indicated presence of fingerprint like- patterns of microridges of the epidermal cells, pores for lateral
canal system, openings of mucous cells and taste buds with specific sensory organs in each fish species.