How does the reef manta ray feed?

It filter-feeds, opening its mouth and swimming in looping, somersault-like rolls to strain zooplankton from the water.

How big is a reef manta ray?

Its disc typically spans 3-3.5 m across, with the largest individuals reaching about 5.5 m.

Is the reef manta ray intelligent?

Yes; it has one of the highest brain-to-body mass ratios of any fish and displays social behaviors, including apparent bonds between individuals that know each other.

Reef Manta Rayナンヨウマンタ

Mobula alfrediVU— Vulnerable

The reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) is one of the largest rays in the world, with a disc width typically 3-3.5 m and reaching up to 5.5 m, found across the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to Hawaii and French Polynesia. It filter-feeds on zooplankton by swimming in looping barrel rolls with its mouth open, matures around age 10, and may live to at least 50 years. Known for one of the highest brain-to-body mass ratios among fish, it shows complex social behavior, and is classified Vulnerable by the IUCN due to overfishing and its very low reproductive rate.

Reef Manta Ray (reference photo) — Photo: Rickard Zerpe / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Myliobatiformes / Mobulidae Source
Distribution: Found throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific, with key populations at sites such as Hawaii, Fiji, Bali, Komodo, and the Maldives. Source

Did You Know?

It has one of the highest brain-to-body mass ratios of any fish and shows complex social behavior, including apparent bonds between individuals that recognize one another. Source
There are reported cases of manta rays entangled in fishing line approaching divers as if seeking help. Source
In New Caledonia, individuals have been recorded diving as deep as 672 m in search of food. Source

Where to See This Species

3 facilities · 0 individuals

マクセルアクアパーク品川 (Makuseruakua Park Shinagawa)Tokyo

マクセルアクアパーク品川のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

沖縄美ら海水族館 (Okinawachuraumi Suizokukan)OkinawaOpened in 2002

沖縄美ら海水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

海遊館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではVUに分類されています。

Habitat

熱帯・亜熱帯の沿岸、サンゴ礁、島しょ部周辺。

Threats

漁獲
混獲
観光圧

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

個体識別調査
海洋保護区の活用

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How does the reef manta ray feed?: It filter-feeds, opening its mouth and swimming in looping, somersault-like rolls to strain zooplankton from the water. Source
How big is a reef manta ray?: Its disc typically spans 3-3.5 m across, with the largest individuals reaching about 5.5 m. Source
Is the reef manta ray intelligent?: Yes; it has one of the highest brain-to-body mass ratios of any fish and displays social behaviors, including apparent bonds between individuals that know each other. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org