Name: Giant manta ray
Scientific Name: Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792)
Family: Mobulidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: >400 cm.
This is the largest of the manta rays, mostly a lonesome animal, occasionally shoaling together in small groups.
Manta rays are often sighted leaping out of the water. Scientists are unsure about the significance of such flights. Some believe they are threat displays to mark territory while others support the theory that they help free the manta of its parasite load.
Mantas feed on tiny organisms that live in the water column, known as zooplancton. Their massive cephalic lobes unfurl and help channel water and food towards their huge gaping mouths.
These animals are often seen twirling in circles amidst zooplancton patches, therefore maximizing the amount of food taken in.
Remoras are an opportunistic fish, which are known to hitch a ride on board mantas' backs and feeding on uneaten food. Remoras attach using their dorsal fin, which evolved to become a suction disk.
These majestic and beautiful animals are overfished in many areas of the World and should be protected, while admired. Adult female mantas give birth to only one young every three years, therefore rendering this species highly susceptible to overfishing.
The Oceanário's Giant Manta ray was returned to the wild 12 April 2007.
Photo by:
Oceanário de Lisboa
Global Ocean
