NORMAL - A battle between two rival species of coral was just one of the things people could see Saturday at the Bloomington-Normal Area Reef Club's first "frag swap."

More than 50 aquarium enthusiasts who specialize in raising coral came from as far away as Iowa and Wisconsin to the K-9 Country Club in Normal to trade "frags," or fragments of living coral.

Raising the tiny marine creatures, whose colonies form reefs, is something the average person could do, thanks to advances in technology, advocates said.

Rich Dietz, clad in a black T-shirt bearing a picture of a firemouth cichlid and the caption "Mr. Firemouth" in honor of his skills breeding that species, pointed to a crab in one tank. Its claws were barely visible in the waving tentacles of the anemone with which it has a symbiotic relationship.

"That's why this hobby is so fascinating," he said. "There are so many facets to it. There are so many challenges that come with trying to keep different species together."

He then reached into an aquarium and grabbed a coral whose tentacles were intertwined with those of another and moved it a few feet away. He explained the silvery coral had stung the golden one in order to declare its territory.

Dietz and longtime friend John McAvoy operate the Chicago-based Web site uberfrags.net, an online community that educates and promotes coral propagation.

McAvoy said the average person can set up a coral-reef tank without too much hassle.

Amazing colors

Most enthusiasts become interested in reefs when they visit public aquariums and fish stores, he said. "They see tanks and amazing colors, and it hooks them," he said.

In addition to buying corals, attendees could purchase equipment such as aquarium heaters, digital thermometers and feeding prongs.

Jason White, who owns YZ Reef in Roselle, explained that under his aquarium's metal halide light his small polyp stone corals are difficult to raise because they require a precise water temperature, pH factor, lighting and other conditions.

He calls his reefing hobby a "sick habit that I am supporting."

He said he spent the past week preparing for the event with a lot of caffeine.

He was first interested in freshwater fish, but now finds corals more interesting because "you can save corals by putting them onto different rocks, but fish just die."

Rod Buehler of DeKalb gave a presentation on breeding clownfish, the species made famous by the Disney movie, "Finding Nemo."

Buehler became interested in corals in 1990 when he installed an aquarium as a room divider in his home. Now Buehler's business, Rod's Reef, specializes in selling food for reefs.

Brad Southern, president of Bloomington-Normal Area Reef Club, said the 154-member club organized the swap to raise money for the club's trips to Wisconsin and Chicago, where members visit the Shedd Aquarium and local stores. The club hopes to make it an annual event.

The club raffled more than $2,200 worth of items at the swap.

Marine Aquatics in Normal and Johnny's Reefing Experience, located in the K-9 Country Club, sponsored the event.