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Scientists have observed octopuses punching fish, and sometimes it seems to happen for no clear reason other than what might be interpreted as spite. According to Science Alert, in a fascinating study published in Ecology (2020), scientists observed octopuses teaming up with fish to hunt in coral reefs. These unlikely alliances are usually cooperative: the octopus flushes prey from crevices, while the fish chase down anything that escapes. But every so often, the octopus does something unexpected, it punches its fish partner.
With a swift jab of an arm, the octopus will strike a fish mid-hunt. Sometimes it’s strategic, maybe the fish was getting too close to the prize or disrupting the hunt. But in other cases, as marine biologist Eduardo Sampaio and his team noted, the punch seemed to serve no clear purpose. No food was at stake. No interference was happening. The octopus just punched. Researchers call this “active displacement,” a way for the octopus to assert control or perhaps vent frustration.
