OK i know I'm new too Maya and its going to be very difficult to do but i cant think of a better way to learn than to set out a project and complete it learning while i go. now this means I'm going to be asking a lot of questions so i hope you don't mind :blush:

OK well here's some pics to get me started I'm just working on the basic shape and have some view questions so i hope you don't mind me asking, but 1st the pics:





OK now the questions:

1. Would it be easier to create the fins etc separate then group the parts together or merge the vertices's?

2. For the Tail its kind of an open block and not tail like, is the best way to merge the end vertices's to make it closed? if that makes sense lol

I think that's it for the moment thank you

oh and if theres any other tips or anything i can change to make it easier for myself please tell me