IZMIR, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 28: An underwater photo shows an octopus in Karaburun, Izmir, Turkey on ... [+]
Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesOctopuses are known for being cryptic, solitary creatures. And, perhaps this might explain a behavior that scientists recently documented in a new study: that octopuses punch fish. And sometimes, it seems that the octopuses may be doing it for no reason whatsoever.
Although octopuses do indeed live on their own, the species in this study, Octopus cyanea, often teams up with other fishes in the Red Sea (between Saudi Arabia and northeastern Africa) to hunt for prey. Partnering with fishes increases the probability that octopus will get a meal and increases the area across which the octopus and its associates can hunt. However, it seems that these intelligent critters may be reprimanding fish that are not keeping up their end of the bargain. The punching behavior may be triggered by a fish that
- is pursuing the octopus’ chosen prey
- is not in the appropriate location to attack prey
- the octopus deems unworthy of being part of the collaboration
- are scavenging on the octopus’ meal
- has upset the octopus for reasons unrelated to the current effort to acquire food.
When the octopus is aggravated for an unclear reason, the authors suggest two possible reasons. Either the octopus is training the fish to be a better partner in future hunting operations, or the octopus is punching the fish out of spite.
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Overall, further research is necessary to understand this newly documented phenomenon of octopuses engaging in aggressive behavior with their fish co-conspirators.
According to lead author Eduardo Sampaio, "We want to understand how the prior interactions between the two animals, in the context of the whole group, can lead to a fish getting punched — and also what changes after that event."
The Link LonkDecember 25, 2020 at 02:00AM
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Why Do Octopuses Punch Fish? Just Because. - Forbes
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