A groundbreaking video has captured a coconut octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) throwing stones at fish while hiding inside a clamshell, marking the first time this behavior has been documented.
The footage, shows the octopus using its siphon—a tube normally used for swimming—to launch small projectiles at approaching predators.
The discovery occurred during the filming of a documentary in Southeast Asia, which focused on the effects of plastic pollution on marine life.They focused on a lone octopus living in a trash-filled seabed.
Reviewing the footage later, the team noticed the unexpected behavior. “We couldn’t believe it,” said Netflix series producer Katy Moorhead. “She was shooting fish, with stones, through her siphon! We were so surprised. Nobody had ever recorded veined octopuses using their siphons as weapons before.”
Curious to see if this was a one-time event or a learned defense, the team returned to observe the octopus. Over three weeks, cinematographer Roger Munns spent 110 hours capturing the animal’s actions.
His footage showed the octopus gathering stones and debris, carefully loading them into its siphon, and firing them at fish that ventured too close. “She turns her siphon into a gun,” said former President Barack Obama, the series narrator.
One striking moment showed the octopus throwing stones directly at a fish revealing its hiding spot. The fish was hit squarely in the face, forcing it to retreat. The projectiles moved so quickly that they were visible only in slow-motion playback, adding to the fascination of the discovery.
Coconut octopuses, known for their resourcefulness, inhabit sandy and muddy seabeds in the Indian Ocean. These creatures are adept at creating protective shields from clam and coconut shells, which they carry as portable shelters. They emerge at dawn and dusk to forage but rarely display aggressive behaviors like the one caught on camera.
The recorded “shooting” behavior is now under scientific analysis to determine its purpose. Jonathan Smith, another series producer, noted its effectiveness. “The fish were clearly startled and did then leave the vicinity of the octopus, suggesting it is an effective deterrent,” he said.
Researchers are examining the footage to learn more about how and why the octopus uses this unique defense. The series “Our Oceans,” which highlights this discovery, is now available for streaming on Netflix. Scientists hope this surprising footage will deepen our understanding of the intelligence and adaptability of marine life.
