Madeira Canary Islands Azores – Fishes Dr. Peter Wirtz

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Devil rays (Mobulidae)
Manta ray (Manta birostris)
Up to 6.7 m wing span. Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores. 0 – 40 m depth.
Devil rays are large, free-swimming rays that feed on plankton. The head flaps direct water into the mouth.
Plankton (and small fish) is then sieved out of the water with gill rakers. These head flaps can be rolled up and
then project forward like to large horns, which has given these animals the name „devil rays“. Frequently,
shark suckers are attached to manta rays. To see a manta ray „flying“ through the water is an unforgettable
experience. These inquisitive animals often circle around divers for considerable time before moving on. The
genus Manta differs from the genus Mobula (next double page) by its much longer horns and by having the
opening of the mouth at the front. Both photos Pedro Monteiro.
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Small devil ray (Mobula tarapacana)
Up to 4 m wing span. Madeira, Canary Islands, Azores. 0 – 30 m depth.
The genus Mobula differs from the genus Manta (previous double page) by its much shorter horns and by the
fact that the mouth opens at the lower side of the animal. The back is greenish (brownish to black in the manta
ray). Mobula-species usually are much shyer than manta rays and do not let divers approach as closely. The
belly of Mobula tarapacana is white in the front and dark on the rear. Similar species with completely white
belly or spotted belly (M. mobular and M. japanica) may also occur in the area but have not yet been
recorded. Please send photos of such animals to peterwirtz2004@yahoo.com ! Both photos Peter Wirtz.