https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_eel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_eel https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/bioluminescence https://ocean.si.edu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_eel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_eel https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/bioluminescence https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/bioluminescence I'm wavering over the two perspectives here. It does make sense that a water environment places far too many barriers on all sorts of natural processes, chemical, & physical, that seem necessary for any sort of technology. On the other hand we do have another form of "terra-"centric bias here, this time regarding the 'alien' -- the essense of the question considered imo -- environment and its alien creatures. So maybe there are in fact possibility spaces and progressive trajectories for 'high technology and science' via entirely novel takes on environmental manipulation. So, sure, no fire under water, but they have electricity [and light sources] (!!) on tap. Maybe Octopus sages will hit on 'eletricity' before 'fire'. Maybe they will learn to farm and control large collections of eels to power stuff [or build logic gates ..]. Maybe they will develop PSI powers (a bit woo) but who knows. p.s. turns out in fact they do use other creatures as 'tools': https://octonation.com/octopedia/blanket-octopus/ https://octonation.com/octopedia/blanket-octopus/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_man_o%27_war https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_man_o%27_war