Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

IUCN

Scientific Name：Mobula birostris (= Manta birostris)

Basic Information

Scientific classification

name：Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
Scientific Name：Mobula birostris (= Manta birostris)
Outline：Large Fish
Family：Mobulidae Mobula

Vital signs

length：Disc width 4–6 m; up to ~7 m+
Weight：Approx. 1,000–1,500 kg
lifetime：~30–50+ years

Feature

Planktivorous filter‑feeder; oceanic migrations; cleaning‑station circling; low fecundity and late maturity.

Distribution and Habitat

Tropical–subtropical–warm‑temperate seas over outer shelves/slopes; fronts, upwellings and seamounts.

Appearance

Very broad rhombic disc; roll‑up cephalic lobes; terminal mouth; dark dorsum/white ventrum with black spots; shoulder patches.

Details

The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris, widely treated as Mobula birostris) is afilter‑feeding mobulid that frequents upwelling fronts and outer‑reef cleaning stations and undertakes long‑range oceanic migrations.

Ecology & Life History

Feeding: zooplankton and small fishes via ram‑filtering with cephalic lobes channelling prey.
Reproduction: aplacental viviparous, typically a single pup; late maturity, very low fecundity (multi‑year intervals).
Behaviour: surface breaches; slow circling at cleaning stations for parasite removal.

Identification

Very broad rhombic disc; roll‑up cephalic lobes; terminal mouth; dark dorsum and white ventrum with asymmetric black spots (photo‑ID); often with shoulder patches. Larger and more oceanic than the reef manta Mobula alfredi.

Size & Longevity

Disc width: 4–6 m commonly; exceptional to ~7 m+.
Weight: ~1,000–1,500 kg.
Life: ~30–50+ years.

Range & Habitat

Global in tropical–subtropical–warm‑temperate seas over outer shelves/slopes; associated with fronts, upwellings, seamounts and reef cleaning stations.

Threats & Conservation

Fisheries: bycatch/targeted catch; historical gill‑plate trade.
Vessel strikes & entanglement due to near‑surface behaviour and ghost gear.
Tourism disturbance: crowding/touching/feeding.

IUCN: Endangered (EN); CITES Appendix II. Priorities: speed limits/buffers at hotspots, bycatch mitigation & rapid live‑release, and protection of cleaning stations with responsible codes of conduct.