That sounds like a pretty cool idea actually. Taking that idea one step further, I think it would look pretty cool to see the eel and octopus tangle with each other, especially at night. No blood, guts, or anything violent like that. Just a little wrestling match, sort of like a miniature version of those old sailing stories where the giant squids attacked sperm whales. Then again, I can just imagine the collision detection nightmare that would cause poor Jim to have. :)

Great idea, DL! And the collision detection schouldn't be a serious problem for Jim. ;)

It shouldn't?

lol, yeah right. Then again, if Jim can actually make the octopus animate properly and give it functioning collision detection, then I'd almost be willing to believe that anything would be possible at that point. :) Even so, I don't envy the work you've got ahead of you Jim when it comes to the octopus, good luck!

How long will the octopus tenticles be?

5.73 centimters.

or 2.2559055118110 inches

I like nice round imperial numbers! ;) - none of this metric rubbish!

Edit. You know, - I've just revisited this post, and realised that could be read exactly the opposite of how I intended it to be read! .... It can be so difficult to ensure the printed word is read the way you intend.
What I meant (in sarcastic humour) was:-

That's what I like to see, nice round imperial numbers! ;) - none of this metric rubbish!

Wow, he's going to be one tiny little spud.

I shouldn't complain, at least we're getting an octopus which is far more than any other aquarium screensaver has done before. :) Thanks Jim!

I don't think it will seem especially small. I was asked how long the tentacles will be, not how big the whole animal will be compared to other elements in the tank. When stretched out, it would be bigger than the largest fish currently in the program.

Octopus info! I'm quivering with excitement! I might squirt some ink myself:)

Will there be Zoanthids in the aquarium?

Aeolid Nudibranch
 

There are a bunch of different Nudibranch to choose from,Will there be more than one of them in the aquarium?

I've never seen a Nudibranch like that before, and I've looked at a LOT of them.

The one you have picked out looks exceptionally difficult to do within the confines of a screen saver.

Morgan is right, that one does look a bit difficult to create. There are other, more "sluglike" Nudibranchs, which are still extremely colorful and interesting. I plan to include them in the Creature Paks.

Jim,
I'm sorry if this has already been addressed in an earlier post. I'm curious how many fish and creatures you envision as being able to share the MA at one time.
My feeling (shared, I think, by many who post here) is "the more, the merrier."
I must add that MA is still my favorite screensaver, even though I've downloaded a BUNCH of different ones. You rock!

There are a lot of variables here, since 3 of some small schooling fish will count as 1 and the tank will be wider when I go 3D with the background. My tentative plan is to have slots for 9 fish and 3 invertebrates, but that may change when I experiment with the same setup in the Freshwater tank.

Would a starfish count as part of the background,or a special creature you would have to select?
Are there plans to put more starfish in the aquarium?

The starfish would count as an invertebrate.