Manta Ray: Two Species of The Ocean’s Gentle Giant
Manta ray sightings are unforgettable; these graceful, bus-sized “blankets of the sea” glide effortlessly through tropical and temperate waters, captivating divers and ocean lovers alike. With wingspans of up to 26 feet, manta rays are among the largest fish in the ocean, yet they are gentle, plankton-eating filter feeders that pose no threat to humans.
This month’s Monthly Chomp dives into everything you need to know about manta rays: the difference between oceanic and reef species, their unique cephalic fins that roll like horns, their fingerprint-like markings, and the incredible fact that they have the largest brain of any fish. Sadly, manta rays are under threat, listed as endangered or vulnerable due to overfishing, bycatch, and habitat destruction. Protecting manta rays means safeguarding the balance of our seas.
Read on to explore the myths, surprising facts, and urgent conservation needs of these winged wonders of the deep.
So, why are you focusing on Mantas? Aren’t you Shark Angels???
Many people aren’t aware that sting rays are actually very closely related to sharks! They are a member of the subclass Elasmobrachii, which encompasses sharks, skates, rays, and sawfish. This subclass is further divided into two superorders: Selachii, comprising sharks, and Batoidea, comprising skates, rays, and sawfish. The differences that divided the subclass into these two groups were primarily the body shape, gill positioning, and pectoral fin development. Most sharks have a body form called fusiform, meaning “spindle-shaped,” which refers to a torpedo-like shape tapering at both ends. Meanwhile, the rays are flattened dorsoventrally, meaning they appear to be squished to the ground. The rest of their differences sprout from this difference in body shape; the gill slits of rays are positioned on their ventral side, allowing them to breathe while resting in the sand, while sharks have their gill slits on the sides of their head, meaning they must move to breathe. Lastly, sharks’ pectoral fins are on either side of their bodies, while rays have enlarged pectoral fins that have fused to their heads, giving the impression of wings.
What Manta Ray Species are we talking about?
While we are at it, let’s clear something else up! There’s currently 2 distinct species of Manta Rays (with a third proposed! Watch this space…)
Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)
The oceanic manta ray is the true giant of the species, reaching wingspans of up to 26 feet and weights over 5,000 pounds. These mantas are typically found in deep, offshore waters around the globe, though they sometimes venture into coastal inlets and bays. They’re distinguished by their broad, triangular pectoral fins and distinctive belly patterns with concentrated dark spots near the lower abdomen. Because they roam long distances across oceans, they are more vulnerable to threats like bycatch in industrial fishing nets and targeted hunting for their gill plates.
Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi)
Reef manta rays are smaller, with wingspans usually between 14 and 15 feet, and they prefer warm, shallow tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. As their name suggests, they are closely tied to coral reef habitats, where they are often seen visiting cleaning stations – special spots on reefs where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Their underside markings differ from their oceanic cousins, with spots typically found between the gill slits. Because reef mantas are more site-attached and predictable in their movements, they are especially popular with divers and ecotourism, but also at higher risk from localized threats like boat strikes and reef habitat degradation.
We’re covering both to give you as much insight as possible!
Manta Rays At-A-Glance
Scientific Name: Oceanic Manta Ray: Mobula birostris; Reef Manta Ray: Mobula alfredi
How big do manta rays get? According to NOAA Fisheries, the oceanic manta ray can grow to 5,300 pounds and have a wingspan of up to 26 feet, while the reef manta ray grows to around 1,860 pounds and has a wingspan between 14 and 15 feet.
Where do manta rays live? Oceanic mantas are found worldwide! They have been found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate bodies of water. While they are normally found offshore or oceanic waters, they have also been seen in oceanic inlets, estuarine areas and inter-coastal waterways. Conversely, the reef manta ray primarily resides in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
What do manta rays eat? : Both oceanic and reef manta rays consume a diet of primarily plankton. They open their gaping mouths and glide through the water, capturing zooplankton and small fish and squid and swallowing them whole.
How do manta rays reproduce?: Both the oceanic and reef manta rays reproduce through ovoviviparity, meaning that they develop the fetus in an egg sac internally. The egg remains in the mother through the gestation period as she passes nutrients to it through the yolk sac, and after the fetus is fully developed, the mother gives birth to a pup. Mantas have the lowest fecundity of all elasmobranchs. They give birth to a single pup in each gestation period, which takes about 12 months.
How long do manta rays live?: Oceanic manta rays have been recorded to live up to 45 years, whereas reef manta rays are estimated to live about 40 years.
What is the IUCN conservation status??: The oceanic manta ray is listed as endangered and decreasing under the IUCN, while the reef manta is listed as vulnerable and decreasing. Due to the low fecundity of these species, the smallest amount of poaching or bycatch can have detrimental effects on their populations.
Do any laws exist protecting the manta ray? : As declining species, the oceanic and reef mantas are protected under the endangered species act in the US, and under CITES appendix II, regulating the trade of their gill plates and other parts. The manta ray is primarily impacted by overfishing and bycatch, boat propeller hits, and habitat degradation due to climate change. Please note the these are all human-caused problems! We created the issue, now we are responsible for fixing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are manta rays friendly? Yes! Both reef and oceanic mantas frequently approach divers and snorkelers when they see them.
What is the difference between a reef manta and an oceanic manta? Oceanic and reef mantas have differences in size and habitat, as well as in appearance. The ventral (underside) pattern of the oceanic manta has concentrated spots near the lower abdomen, while the reef manta has spots between the gills.
Why can’t humans touch manta rays? Manta rays are covered in a thin mucus layer across their entire bodies. This layer protects them from bacteria, reduces drag while swimming, and helps them to heal from injuries. When humans touch manta rays, they remove this layer, risking damage to the animal and exposing them to infection.
Why do manta rays jump? Manta rays are known to breach the water for various reasons. These include mating rituals, communication, and parasite removal, but it is also theorized that they do it for fun!
Bet you didn’t know this about manta rays….
- Manta rays have fins near their face, called cephalic fins, that help them to funnel plankton and small fish into their mouths. These paddle-like appendages are often rolled up when the animal is not feeding, resembling horns.
- Manta rays have the largest brains of any fish!
- Mantas enjoy “playing” with their food! They have been seen swimming in circles around krill to create a spiral effect, called “chain feeding.”
- The word manta is Spanish for “blanket”
- Manta rays have markings on the underside of their body, which are unique to each manta ray, just like a fingerprint!
- Manta rays have the largest “brain to body” ratio among all fish!
Ready to Dive In?
Want to meet the ocean’s gentle giant? (Learn more about how responsible manta ray diving can support conservation efforts here.)
Maldives (Year-Round, Peak: May–November)
The Maldives is one of the world’s best places to see manta rays, with predictable encounters and massive gatherings. From May to November, nutrient-rich currents sweep through the atolls, drawing mantas into cleaning stations and feeding frenzies. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is especially famous, where hundreds of mantas can gather in a single day—an unforgettable spectacle!
And here’s the best part: you can join Shark Angels’ Maldives Blue Force One Liveaboard (Feb 7–17, 2026), where we’ll dive into manta-rich waters, learn from shark and ray scientists, and witness these gentle giants up close.
Hawaii – Kona (April–October)
Hawaii’s Big Island is known for its magical night dives with mantas. Powerful lights attract plankton, which in turn attract hungry mantas that swoop and somersault just inches from divers’ heads. Peak season is summer into early fall, though sightings can happen year-round.
Yap, Micronesia (December–April)
Yap is home to one of the longest-running manta research programs and is famous for consistent manta ray encounters. Reef mantas gather around cleaning stations, making it one of the most reliable places in the world to dive alongside these graceful giants.
Indonesia – Raja Ampat & Komodo (October–April)
Raja Ampat and Komodo offer spectacular manta encounters at cleaning stations and feeding grounds, often alongside schools of fish, sharks, and vibrant coral reefs. Currents can be strong, but they bring in the plankton that mantas love.
Mozambique – Tofo Beach (November–February)
Tofo is often called the “manta capital of the world,” with both reef and oceanic mantas frequently seen. The nutrient-rich waters also attract whale sharks, making this an epic destination for big animal lovers.
Dive with Mantas in the Maldives! February 7–17, 2026 | Maldives Blue Force One Liveaboard
Get ready for the ultimate manta encounter! The Maldives is world-famous for manta gatherings, where these gentle giants soar past in crystal-clear blue water. We chose the itinerary and date to maximize sightings! On this dive trip and citizen science expedition, you’ll:
- Swim alongside reef mantas at cleaning stations
- Participate in citizen science ID programs
- Learn from shark and ray scientists onboard
- Explore one of the planet’s most biodiverse ocean sanctuaries
This isn’t just a dive trip – it’s a chance to live your best shark (and manta!) life while supporting ocean conservation. Spaces are limited, and they’re going fast.
Don’t miss it; join us for your manta moment of a lifetime!
Why Are Manta Rays Endangered?
One of the biggest threats to manta rays is the growing demand for their gill rakers – the feathery structures they use to filter plankton from seawater. In some parts of the world, these rakers are dried, ground into powder, and sold in traditional remedies that claim to “cool the body” and “purify the blood.” The problem? There’s zero scientific evidenceto support these claims.
Because manta rays have incredibly low reproduction rates, usually giving birth to just one pup after a year-long pregnancy, even small increases in fishing pressure can devastate populations. With gill rakers fetching high prices and sometimes even marketed as alternatives to shark fin, demand is surging. Combined with accidental bycatch, boat strikes, and climate-driven habitat loss, this has pushed oceanic mantas to endangered status and reef mantas to vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Protecting mantas isn’t just about saving an iconic ocean giant—it’s about stopping an unsustainable trade that has no proven benefit to humans but devastating consequences for the sea.
Other Threats to Manta Rays
While the gill raker trade gets the most attention, it’s not the only way mantas are exploited. In some countries, manta rays are still hunted for their meat, which is sold in local markets or used as a cheap protein source. The flesh is sometimes dried and salted for preservation, making it easier to sell in coastal communities.
Another lesser-known issue is the use of manta parts marketed as “scallops.” Because manta rays’ flesh has a firm, white texture, it can be cut into circular shapes and passed off as imitation scallops. This practice not only deceives consumers but also fuels illegal manta ray fishing under the radar.
These pressures add up. When combined with the gill raker trade, accidental bycatch in fishing nets, and damage to coral reef habitats, manta populations face mounting risks. And because mantas reproduce so slowly—just one pup every few years—even small-scale hunting can cause long-term population declines.
Protecting mantas means cutting off every market that profits from them, whether it’s disguised as “medicine,” “meat,” or “scallops.”
How you can save manta rays:
Get Smart: Never buy or support products made from manta or mobula rays. Because they are often used as “white meat” or “scallops” ask questions and know where your seafood comes from. More on shark + ray products.
Choose eco-tourism: Dive and snorkel with manta-safe operators that follow ethical guidelines. We’ve created a set of guidelines to help you make the right decisions. And, you can always join us on adventures that include citizen science to help protect sharks + rays like this one: Maldives Blue Force One Liveaboard (Feb 7–17, 2026)
Stop the sale of manta products: If you find someone selling manta gill rakers, meat, skin, etc, you can download materials here to ask them to stop.
Raise your voice: Share what you’ve learned about mantas with friends and family; awareness reduces demand.
Support conservation: Back organizations like Shark Angels that fight to protect mantas and their habitats.
Push for protections: Advocate for stronger marine laws, protected areas, and enforcement against illegal trade.
Every action counts. Together we can keep these ocean angels soaring for generations.
Science in the Spotlight: Manta Rays have Big Brains and a high EQ!
Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish, giving them an encephalization quotient (EQ) closer to dolphins than most marine life. This helps explain their playful behavior, social bonds, and even signs of self-awareness. Protecting mantas means protecting some of the ocean’s smartest creatures.
After Bites Manta Ray Quiz
Take the manta ray trivia quiz and test your new found knowledge.
Article written by: lKendall Traiser, Marine Science major at Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating in the Spring 2026 and Shark Angels intern.