Video Shows Hunting Octopus with Fish and Punching to Keep Them in Line

The above-average intelligence possessed by octopuses manifests itself in a variety of ways, from problem-solving abilities to tool-using skills. However, new research has shed even more light on these sharp animals; He suggested that eight-armed invertebrates would not only hunt with schools of fish but would also use physical means to keep them in line.

Study published in the journal Nature Monday will focus on the species of octopus cyanea maraud, also known as the great blue or diurnal octopus, which has been found hunting with groups of fish; sometimes even with several species at once. It should come as little surprise that the octopus is responsible for organizing these hunting expeditions, including sought-after prey.

To uncover the findings, researchers spent nearly a month diving at a reef off the coast of Eilat, Israel. During the study period, 13 octopuses were tracked using various cameras for a total of 120 hours. The team tracked a total of 13 fishing sessions and each time observed a group of between two and 10 fish working alongside each octopus.

Fish species also varied, with octopuses preying on species such as blackfin grouper and goatfish. Although the animals do not lead hunting groups, they have been seen “punching” fish, especially groupers, to maintain social order and keep them on the move.

Eduardo Sampaio, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior who also led the research, said: NBC News that punched fish tend to be the “main exploiters” of their prey groups. “These are predators that ambush, don't move, don't look for prey,” Sampaio said.

“If the group is very still and everyone is around the octopus, the octopus starts punching,” he explained. “But if the group is moving through the habitat, that means they're looking for prey, so the octopus is happy. It's not punching anyone.”

As to why fish move with these prey groups and the abuse they are subjected to, researchers believe the fish take advantage of the octopuses' ability to reach narrow crevices where their prey hides. On the other side of the coin, the octopus is able to follow fish to its food source rather than engaging in what the researchers call “speculative hunting.”

“For the octopus, this is also an advantage because there is no need to take samples or walk around. You can just look at the fish,” Sampaio added.

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