Are these Octopus cyanea "getting it on" or "getting it on"?

[Nick Hope]

I always thought one of these 2 octopuses was aggressively courting the other, but maybe they're simply fighting?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emmgMz2xEjE

What do you think? I'm about to recut the video so it would be useful to know.

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

I am no expert but that doesn't look like courtship to me.
More like a territorial dispute.

 

[davidsuli]

.agree

 

[davidsuli]

okdl

 

[Nick Hope]

Thanks very much for the replies. I also posted this question here and never did get a firm conclusion on whether they are fighting or courting. The updated video is now here and also features an Octopus cyanea under attack from a damselfish.