Octopuses Hunt with Fishes, Occasionally Punching Their Allies

A surprising new study has found that octopuses, known for their solitary nature, sometimes form hunting alliances with fish. The joint effort allows both species to capture more prey, boosting their success rates. While this collaboration helps them thrive, it doesn’t always go smoothly. Octopuses and fish have been observed engaging in physical altercations, with octopuses occasionally punching their aquatic partners.

Collaborative Hunting Tactics

Scientists discovered that when octopuses and fishes hunt together, they share leadership roles. 

For instance, goatfish often take the lead in deciding the group’s direction, while the octopus determines the timing of the next move. 

This alternating leadership is unique, as most mixed-species hunting groups rely on one dominant leader. 

These findings, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, reveal that octopus–fish hunting teams are more adaptive in their strategies compared to other species.

Fights in the Underwater World

Though these hunting partnerships boost their chances of success, tensions can arise. 

Sometimes, fish express frustration by darting towards other members of the group, while octopuses can retaliate by punching their fellow hunters. 

Researchers observed this behavior during 120 hours of scuba dives in the Red Sea, where they followed 13 different hunting groups.

Scientists believe this behavior expands our understanding of social interaction and leadership in the animal world. 

It shows that even across species, cooperation is possible—though not without conflict.

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