Octopus seen hunting with fish and punching them if they don’t cooperate

Octopuses are known for their intelligence and complex behaviors, and one of the more surprising behaviors observed in recent years is their hunting strategy that involves cooperating with fish — and sometimes, literally punching them.

In certain ecosystems, such as coral reefs, octopuses engage in group hunting with different species of fish. These group hunts allow the animals to combine their skills to increase their chances of catching prey. The octopus, with its soft, flexible body and ability to squeeze into tight spaces, is great at flushing prey from crevices. Meanwhile, the fish, with their speed and swimming prowess, are excellent at chasing down prey in the open water.

Cooperative Hunting: Octopuses and Fish Team Up

Octopuses are known for their solitary nature, but in certain environments, they exhibit a remarkable behavior—cooperative hunting with fish. By working together, the octopus uses its dexterous arms to flush prey out of hiding, while the fish chase down any escaping prey. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the octopus and the fish, allowing them to capture more food than they would on their own. Despite their cooperation, the octopus may assert its dominance when necessary, ensuring the hunt stays in its favor.

However, octopuses don’t always seem to be the most patient of hunting partners. When a fish isn’t cooperating, or perhaps is trying to snatch prey from the octopus, the octopus may respond by delivering what researchers have described as a “punch” — a quick, forceful extension of one of its arms to strike the fish. This behavior has been observed in several species of octopuses, and it’s thought that the punches serve to assert control, keep the fish in line, or to ensure the octopus gets its share of the spoils.

The motivation behind this punching behavior isn’t fully understood, but scientists suggest it might be a way for the octopus to maintain dominance in the group, to punish freeloaders, or to coordinate the movement of the group by eliminating unhelpful behavior. Interestingly, the punches don’t always seem to be linked to immediate frustration; sometimes they appear random or even playful, which only adds to the mystery of the octopus’ fascinating behavior.

This behavior showcases the complexity of interspecies interactions and highlights the octopus’s surprising problem-solving abilities and social intelligence in a hunting context.