AQUARIUMS: WHERE UNDERWATER MYSTERIES UNFOLD

Bill Pratt's sunroom blooms with color in the late afternoon.

Unusual underwater creatures and plant life typically found in a mysterious, faraway world come into their own in his Scott City home as afternoon shadows lengthen. Around 3 o'clock, nature's brilliance truly shines.

"There's a critical time when things are in best bloom, so to speak," Pratt explained. While there is a peak period when the sea's hues are best displayed, Pratt and other saltwater reef tank enthusiasts find joy in every aspect of their hobby.

"The sea creatures are just gorgeous," Pratt said, declining to name a preference for any particular aspect of his 180-gallon reef tank. "They're all my favorites in their own way," he said.

Brian Wilson and Beverly Clark are two other area saltwater reef tank enthusiasts who are hard pressed to name a single favorite aspect of their hobbies.

Like Pratt, Wilson and Clark also keep freshwater tanks in their homes. All three say their interest in aquariums began many years ago with freshwater fish. It is an interest each retains, and expands upon, today.

"Freshwater's a breeze," said Wilson, "Everybody ought to have freshwater fish." Plus, an aquarium is a great showpiece, he said, adding, "It's very relaxing."

Wilson of Jackson ought to know. His 200-gallon freshwater aquarium is home to about 15 types of colorful South American cyclids, with the aquarium's population ranging at about 25.

While an angel fish that is more than 5 years old takes center stage in her freshwater aquarium, Clark's interest in fish isn't limited to the indoors; about 50 goldfish reside in a goldfish pond in her front yard in Cape Girardeau.

Pratt, Wilson and Clark each say the reef tanks aren't common in the area. A reef is a strip or ridge of rocks, sand or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. Reef tanks mirror some of nature's underwater glories. They are stocked with life other than fish.

"Everything in my tanks is from the ocean," Pratt said, "There's nothing artificial."

Likewise, providing the reef tank with lighting characteristics as near as possible to that found in nature is critical, he noted.

Pratt keeps two saltwater reef tanks at his home and is just starting a new tank at his Midwest Truck Inc. office. He also has a 45-gallon freshwater tank in his home.

Gary Stovall of A and S Tropical Showcase believes the color and versatility of the reef tank are core attractions.

Corals, clams, crustaceans, starfish, shrimp, anemones, even lobsters, are just a few of the many kinds of life that may take up residence in a reef tank.

Though striking color is a characteristic of many saltwater fish, enthusiasts find enjoyment in watching underwater antics.

Clark has a clown fish that exhibits a certain generosity. "The anemone he plays in is probably the size of a basketball," she related. "When you put the food in the water, he'll take it down and feed the anemone."

A cave-dwelling blennie also exhibits distinctive characteristics. "He's real ugly," Clark chuckled. "He looks kind of like an eel with great big eyes on the top of his head. He's kind of muted brown, with great big eye lashes and tentacles." The blennie's attraction is pure personality. "He's so comical. He'll back into the rocks and things and hide," she said.

Wilson said the 11 corals in his tank are especially fascinating. Corals, which feed on light, he said, are animals that think they're plants.

Most in-home aquariums are stocked with freshwater fish that are commonly known as tropical fish. However, a tropical fish can be either a freshwater or a saltwater fish.

Often, shoppers will choose to stock their aquarium with what Stovall calls "bread and butter fish." He names barbs, tetras, mollies, sword tails and guppies, among a lengthy list of all-time favorites.

Freshwater or tropical fish come from all over the world and from most every continent, noted Bill Brinkopf of Sunny Hill Pet Center. "They're easiest to get, the least expensive, hardiest and require much less maintenance, and will go in a much smaller habitat," he said.

"Most schooling fish -- or community fish -- are tropical fish," Brinkopf said. Some reproduce by laying eggs, others, such as guppies, are live-bearing.

With both saltwater and freshwater fish, some combinations just won't work. For instance, Stovall said, the cyclid typically doesn't mix well with other types of fish. "They're pretty aggressive; there are not too many other fish you put in with them," he said. However, he noted, "A lot of community-type fish, they'll mix together."

It's those kinds of lessons that Clark, among others, has learned through experience, in particular with her reef tank. "It's very touchy," she said, "It's strictly been trial and error for me."

Both fish store owners and at-home hobbyists advise people thinking about getting a reef tank do their homework beforehand. Likewise, Pratt said about his hobby, "I read everything I can come up with."

Regarding reef tanks, he said, "There are lots of new theories and technologies out. The learning experience can be a lot of fun."

While the setting up of a reef tank, Pratt said, requires "a tremendous lot of work," the maintenance involved tapers to a more reasonable level after the first weeks. And, he asserts, the efforts are well worth it.

With a demanding work schedule, Pratt's fish hobby provides enjoyment on terms that suit his lifestyle. "It's something I can enjoy in the few spare moments I have," he said.

"It's like gardening," Clark observed, "some people think it's work, some people think it's pleasure."