Reef Manta Ray Mobula/Manta alfredi

The Reef Manta Ray is massive, typically over 3 metres across (up to 3.5m or 11 feet). The Oceanic Manta Ray is larger, typically 4-5 metres across, but exceptionally Reef Mantas can reach that size.

They are native to tropical and subtropical coasts, reefs and islands of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Their topside is black but the underside is white with variable black markings.

They live in communities and have one of the largest brain to body ratios of fish. Diet is zooplankton. They can swim at 24 km/h but are preyed on by large sharks and some orcas.

Reef Manta Rays have suffered significant population decline and are classed as vulnerable as, in addition to late maturity and a low fertility rate, they are subject to substantial overfishing, especially through demand of parts for the Chinese medicine market.