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The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium houses manta rays in the "Kuroshio Sea" tank, one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. The first manta ray birth in captivity took place there in 2007. Although this pup did not survive, the aquarium has since had the birth of four more manta rays in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The first difference could be the size because the giant oceanic manta ray is bigger than the reef manta ray, 4 to 5 m (13–16 ft) on average versus 3 to 3.5 m (9.8–11.5 ft) on average. [7] However, if the observed rays are young, their size can easily bring confusion.
The giant oceanic manta ray can grow up to a maximum of 9 m (30 ft) in length [6] and to a disc size of 7 m (23 ft) across with a weight of about 3,000 kg (6,600 lb), [7] [8] but the average size commonly observed is 4.5 m (15 ft). [9]
Depending on the species, the devil rays can attain widths up to 1.1–5.2 m (3.6–17.1 ft), the largest being second only to the manta rays in size, which can reach 5.5–7.0 m (18.0–23.0 ft). [3] Despite their size, little is known about the devil rays, much of it anecdotal; the manta rays are better known.
Manta (sometimes considered to be a synonym of Mobula) The Mobulidae (manta rays and devilfishes) are a family of rays consisting mostly of large species living in the open ocean rather than on the sea bottom.
A manta ray executing several different turns. By varying the shape of its fins asymmetrically it is able to be quite maneuverable for its size and rigidity. Mobuliform swimming is common in pelagic Myliobatiformes species such as manta rays and is characterized by a flapping motion of the pectoral fins. It is very similar in appearance to ...
Manta rays have unique spot patterning on their undersides, which allows for individual identification. [2] Scuba divers around the world can photograph mantas [ 3 ] and upload their manta identification photographs to the Manta Matcher website, [ 4 ] supporting global research and conservation efforts.
Mobula munkiana, commonly known as the manta de monk, Munk's devil ray, pygmy devil ray, smoothtail mobula, or Munk’s pygmy devil ray, is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. They are commonly mistaken for their close relatives, M. thurstoni (bentfin devil ray) and M. mobular (giant devil ray). [ 3 ]