Name: Devil-fish
Scientific Name: Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Family: Mobulidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 201-400 cm.
The name, devil-ray, is related to the fact that the cephalic lobes project forward. When unfurled, these "horns" work as giant spoons that assist in directing food towards the devil-ray's mouth.The mouth of this species is slightly ventral. The tail is short and features one spine on the base, unlike most mantas. This species also features a small dorsal fin right above the pelvic fins.Devil-rays usually swim close to the surface, searching for planktonic organisms on which it feeds upon. Though it may reach over 5 m in wingspan, these rays are completely harmless. The black-blue back contrasts sharply with a white belly, which makes this one of the most beautiful animals to observe under water. Some devil-ray populations might be at risk due to over-fishing and destruction of their natural habitat.
Photo by:
Mafalda Frade
Global Ocean
