Octopus and fish engage in a violent altercation during a joint hunting trip.

New research has revealed an intriguing behavior among octopuses - they apparently recruit fish to join them on their hunting expeditions. And as a new footage shows, these underwater creatures can be quite strict with their companions. In the video, we can see an octopus delivering a strong punch to a fish with one of its eight arms. It seems like the octopus is the dominant one in this relationship and won't hesitate to use physical force to keep its pal in line.

Contrary to previous beliefs, octopuses are not solitary animals but rather team up with other species for their hunting trips. This discovery was made by a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour in Germany, who filmed these expeditions in the Red Sea near Israel. The fish in this group - which include goldfish, gold-saddle goatfish, and blacktip groupers - have specific roles to play. The goatfish are in charge of deciding where the group should patrol in search of prey, while the octopuses are the ones who determine when it's time to attack.

Interestingly, the researchers noticed that the octopuses often use their punches to push the fish to the edges of the group or even kick them out entirely. It seems like they have a zero-tolerance policy for any fish who try to exploit them or the group. However, the fish never retaliate and don't even dare to nudge into the octopuses. This suggests that the octopuses are indeed the leaders and the ones who call the shots in this partnership.

Lead researcher Dr. Eduardo Sampaio explained that the punches are not only a means of discipline but also serve a purpose in the group's movement. If the group becomes too clustered around the octopus and isn't moving through the habitat, the octopus will use its punches to show its disapproval and create some negative feedback. On the other hand, when the group is on the move and creating opportunities for prey, the octopus will refrain from using its physical force.

If you're amazed by this fascinating behavior, be sure to follow us for more news updates on Metro. You can also join our community on Whatsapp for breaking news and juicy stories. It's truly incredible to see how these creatures work together and communicate with each other, even if it means delivering a few punches along the way.

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