A group of orcas in the Gulf of California has been captured on video working together to break apart dead sunfish. The orcas accomplish this by one of them grasping the fish’s tail while another orca charges into it, resulting in the fish exploding into pieces.
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 activity could assist younger orcas in feeding more effectively or simply be a form of amusement, as orcas are known to play with their food.
The sunfish targeted in these instances were sharp-tailed sunfish, which can reach lengths of up to three meters and weigh two tonnes. Prior to the smashing, the orcas had already removed the internal organs of the fish.
Although the adult orcas initiated the smashing, it was mainly the juvenile orcas that consumed the broken pieces, while the adults focused on the larger remaining chunk. The behavior was initially observed and recorded by Ayres from Beneath the Waves, an ocean conservation group, in July 2024, and later by Héctor Franz in September 2025 in the same region.
The researchers could not confirm whether the same orcas were involved in both incidents due to unclear footage. The distinctive response of the sunfish to the impact suggests a species-specific structural reaction, possibly due to the pronounced clavus of this sunfish species, making it easier for the orcas to hold and strike.
While orcas have been seen breaking prey into smaller portions for their young in the past, the smashing technique may help them access the meat without damaging their teeth on the fish’s scales, as stated by marine ecologist Robert Pitman of Oregon State University.
Despite previous reports of orcas ramming boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, believed to be playful behavior, the act of ramming prey to disintegrate it is a novel observation. Ayres emphasized the ongoing surprises presented by orcas, labeling them as one of the most iconic marine predators.