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The reef manta ray is one of the largest rays in the world, reaching a maximum disk width of about 16 ft (5 meters) and a weight of up to about 1,500 pounds (700 kg). Although, individuals are more commonly around 10-11.5 feet (3-3.5 meters) wide. These rays have a broad, flattened body, enormous pectoral fins, and cephalic fins on the front of their head that help direct water and food toward their mouth. Their tail may be equal or shorter in size than their disk width. Reef manta rays inhabit the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific,
where they commonly occur in relatively shallow water around coral and rocky reefs, lagoons, and bays. They also inhabit the open ocean, with a maximum depth of about 1400 ft (432 m). Although capable of traveling long distances, they typically maintain relatively restricted home ranges centered around productive reef systems. They move around slightly while following seasonal changes in food availability. They also typically move inshore during the day and offshore at night to feed. Reef manta rays are filter feeders, consuming zooplankton and other small organisms.
They swim with their mouth open and use their gill plates to filter out food from the water. Reef manta rays frequently visit cleaning stations, where small reef fish remove parasites and dead tissue from their body. These cleaning sites can be important social gathering areas, and reef manta rays are known to be highly social animals. They are commonly encountered by divers and snorkelers. They often display curiosity toward humans and may approach them to interact. However, they are not considered a threat to humans. Reef manta rays are more commonly encountered than a similar-looking species, the giant oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) that frequents offshore waters. Giant oceanic
manta rays are generally larger and have a more pronounced spine near the base of their tail, while reef manta rays lack this structure. The black pattern on their back forms a "T" shape for the giant oceanic manta ray and a "Y" shape for the reef manta ray. Giant oceanic manta rays have most of their underside spots concentrated on around their lower abdomen, whereas reef manta rays have more spots between their gills. Reproduction in reef manta rays is very slow. They are ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch internally and each embryo develops inside the
mother without a placental attachment. Females normally give birth to a single, very large pup, typically around 4.3-4.9 feet (130-150 cm) in disk width in the wild. Reproduction is estimated to occur every 1-7 years, with a reproductive cycle of approximately 4-5 years being common. Gestation is estimated at roughly one year. Reproductive patterns vary among populations. Females may not reach maturity until about 8-17 years of age. Reef manta rays may live for roughly 45 years. This extremely slow reproductive rate means that reef manta ray populations can be particularly
vulnerable to human exploitation. A female may produce only a handful of pups-perhaps 4-7 over her entire lifetime. Reef manta rays are caught both intentionally and incidentally in fisheries. They are sometimes entangled in nets and fishing lines. Manta rays can be harvested for their meat, skin, liver oil, and especially their gill plates, which are traded for use in some Asian medicinal markets. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!
