Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi)

Often seen looping gracefully above coral cleaning stations, the reef manta ray carries the calm precision of ritual — circling, pausing, and returning again, like the rhythm of the tide itself.

Scientific Snapshot

A reef manta ray circling above coral and reef fish — a quiet ritual of movement and trust beneath the waves.

Scientific Name: Mobula alfredi

Common Names: Reef manta ray, coastal manta ray

Average Size: Up to 5 meters (16 feet) across; weighs up to 1,400 kg (3,000 lbs)

Habitat: Coral reefs and coastal slopes in tropical and subtropical waters

Diet: Filter feeder — plankton, small fish, and crustaceans

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Range: Indo-Pacific region, especially around the Maldives, Indonesia, and Micronesia; often seen at cleaning stations near reefs

From the Field

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