Orcas in the Gulf of California have been captured on video working together to smash dead sunfish into pieces. The technique involves one orca grabbing the sunfish’s tail in its mouth and releasing it right as another orca speeds in, resulting in a burst of fish fragments.
A recent study published in the journal Frontiers of Ethology by researchers from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Mexico details this behavior. Lead author Kathryn Ayres suggested that this collaborative smashing might aid younger orcas in feeding more efficiently or could simply be a form of playful behavior, as orcas are known to engage in such activities.
The sunfish targeted in these incidents were sharp-tail sunfish, reaching up to three meters in length and weighing two tons. Prior to the smashing, the orcas had already removed the sunfish’s internal organs.
While the adult orcas performed the smashing, the younger orcas accompanying them primarily consumed the resulting smaller pieces. The adults concentrated on the larger remaining chunk.
The behavior was first documented by Ayres in July 2024 and later by Héctor Franz in September 2025 in the same area. Erick Higuera, co-author of the study, mentioned witnessing similar behavior in the region in 2021.
Researchers could not confirm if the same orcas were involved in all incidents due to unclear footage. They proposed that the unique structure of the sunfish species’ clavus could be the reason for the fragmentation upon impact, as this feature is more pronounced compared to other sunfish species.
This smashing behavior is a novel observation, distinct from orcas tearing prey into smaller pieces for their young. Marine ecologist Robert Pitman suggested that this technique might allow orcas to access the meat without damaging their teeth on the fish’s scales.
In addition to this behavior, orcas have been seen ramming boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, which experts believe could be a form of play. Ayres remarked, “They’re one of the most iconic marine predators in the world, yet they continue to surprise us.”
