Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
Sighting evidence at Tutuba Island Reef, Espiritu Santo
Photo: Programa Marino del Golfo de California · CC BY-NC
Oceanic mantas pass through the currents off Tutuba Island filtering massive quantities of zooplankton through their cephalic fins, playing a vital role in transferring energy between the open ocean and reef ecosystems as their waste fertilizes coral reef organisms. With a wingspan reaching 7 meters, they are the ocean's largest rays, and their intelligence and curious interactions with divers make encounters profoundly memorable.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Oceanic Manta Ray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.