Giant Manta Ray (Manta birostris) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving

Giant Manta Ray

Giant/Oceanic Manta Rays (Manta biostris) is a very special species to encounter when scuba diving. They are large, intelligent, curious, friendly & harmless. They can grow up to 7 or more metres from wing tip to wing tip, but are normally 5-6 metres across. They are larger than Reef Manta Rays, which are a different species in the same genus (Manta). The Giant Manta has fewer spots on its underside and there is more contrast in the coloration on its back. The Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) has less defined colouration on its back, usually in the shape of a Y or V. The Giant Manta's back is more of a T shape, and more defined. 

Giant Manta Rays
Giant Manta Rays
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Giant Manta Ray
Giant Manta Ray
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Giant Manta Ray
Giant Manta Ray
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Giant Manta Ray
Giant Manta Ray & Trevally
Credit: Alvaro Herrero
Giant Manta Ray Manta birostris
Scientific Rank
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata (Chordates)
Subphlum: Olfactores
Subphlum: Vertebrates
Subphlum: Gnathostomata
Class:
Chondrichthyes: Cartilaginous fish
Order: Myliobatiformes (Rays)
Family: Mobulidae (Mobulidae)
Genus: Manta (Manta)
Species: Manta birostris
Size
Average Size: 6 metres

No Troubles Just Bubbles' divers who recently saw Giant Manta Ray

Stéphanie
Spotted in: Maldives Maldives
Diving from boat: MV Emperor Serenity
Trip destinations: North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, Vaavu Atoll
When: Dec 2022

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