Octopus kicks away freeloading fish. In new footage, octopuses were seen punching ‘opportunistic’ fish, individuals that attached themselves to the hunting group but did not help them find food. (Eduardo Sampaio)
Octopuses Recruit Fish to Aid in Food Hunt
Octopuses and fish have been observed collaborating to capture prey on camera. A recent study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior documented 13 instances of this cross-species teamwork in over 120 hours of footage, highlighting a big blue octopus (Octopus cyanea) working alongside various fish species to secure meals.
These interactions reveal intricate group dynamics, with different species playing distinct roles. Researcher Eduardo Sampaio, co-author of the study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, mentions, “The other fish provide several options, and then the octopus decides which one to take.” This study follows groundbreaking marine research demonstrating coral reefs consuming laxatives and blood pressure medication.
An octopus–fish hunting pack searches for prey. Credit: Eduardo Sampaio and Simon Gingins
“There’s this element of shared leadership.”
In the newly released footage, octopuses were observed striking ‘opportunistic’ fish, those that leech onto the hunting group without contributing to finding food. Nature shows us the importance of eliminating freeloading companions. Don’t hesitate to set boundaries, even in nature.
Octopuses also displayed adaptability and responsiveness in various situations.
Dr. Eduardo Sampaio from the Cluster of Excellence “Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour” and researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Credit: Victor Rault / Captain Darwin
In some instances, particular fish species, such as blacktip groupers (Epinephelus fasciatus), exhibited opportunistic behavior by joining the group without contributing to finding food. Octopuses would use their tentacles to ‘punch’ these opportunists, potentially as a form of punishment or to encourage them to depart. Sampaio, depicted above, expresses interest in studying whether octopuses can identify individual fish with a history of opportunistic actions.
