The idea of an octopus throwing a punch might sound like a cartoon, but scientists have observed it happening in real life. While hunting in the Red Sea, octopuses sometimes team up with fish to flush out prey – and if a fish partner isn’t pulling its weight, the octopus will literally punch the slacker away.

Researchers captured footage of octopuses delivering swift “sucker punches” to freeloading fish, essentially enforcing a no-free-riders rule in their multi-species hunting party. It turns out the usually-solitary cephalopod can act as the boss of an underwater team, keeping cooperation on track with a well-aimed tentacle jab. 

This surprising behavior, documented in a 2024 study, reveals an unexpected petty side to octopus smarts – even under the sea, nobody likes an unhelpful coworker.