Reef Manta Ray

About Reef Manta Ray

The reef manta ray is the smaller of the two manta species, with a wingspan up to 5.5 metres. Found at coral reef cleaning stations where small fish remove parasites, reef mantas are resident species that stay in relatively localized areas. Each individual has a unique belly pattern used for identification. They are remarkably intelligent with the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish.

Quick Facts

• Habitat: Coastal tropical waters, coral reef cleaning stations, and feeding areas in the Indo-Pacific
• Diet: Zooplankton filtered through specialized gill rakers
• Best season: Year-round in the Maldives; varies by location

Fun Facts

Reef mantas can be individually identified by their unique belly markings — like fingerprints,They visit the same cleaning stations daily, forming relationships with specific cleaner fish,Their brain-to-body ratio is the highest of any cold-blooded fish,Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives hosts the world's largest known feeding aggregation with up to 200 reef mantas

Diving Tips

Reef mantas visit cleaning stations predictably. Arrive early, position yourself near the station, and stay still. They often make repeated passes and may hover directly overhead for minutes at a time. Never touch or obstruct their path to the cleaning station.