[Columbia, SC] - Santa may be delivering presents to all the good little boys and girls on Christmas Eve, but if he doesn't start early with Riverbanks' fish, he'll never make his December 25 deadline.

A fully-suited up Santa will be diving in Riverbanks' coral reef tank each day at 12:30pm starting Monday, December 19 through Saturday, December 24.

"We're thrilled that Santa's decided to spend so much time with our fishes. We know he's got a really busy schedule this time of year, but we're thinking the jolly old soul is really a conservationist at heart, paying special attention to some of the Earth's aquatic creatures," said Melissa Salmon, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's Aquarium supervisor.

Riverbanks Ocean Gallery within the Zoo's Aquarium Reptile Complex features 15 aquarium exhibits with the biggest one being a 55,000-gallon Indo-Pacific coral reef tank. The large tank features sharks, moray eels and a myriad of brightly colored, warm water reef fish. Feedings are always at 12:30 daily and when not being done by Mr. Claus, are typically done by one of Riverbanks' volunteer divers. Children love watching the divers swarmed by hundreds of fish anticipating their feeding.

The Zoo is open regular hours on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Kids who don't catch Santa in the Aquarium can also visit him each evening at Riverbanks' hallmark holiday event, Lights Before Christmas. Lights is open through December 30 but is closed the nights of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Both daytime and Lights tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.riverbanks.org, by calling 803.779.8717 or at the Zoo gate.

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