Mobula birostris (Walbaum, 1792)
Oceanic Manta, 910cm

Mantas are sporadically seen throughout the atoll. There are two species, a typically smaller Reef Manta (Mobula alfredi) and a larger Oceanic Manta. The largest Mobula birostris are usually seen cruising along the seaward reef. The smaller Mobula alfredi (up to 5m) are more common in some lagoon sites. They are not easy to tell apart from a distance, so we are just assuming the very large animals we see on the seaward reef are M. birostis. The very large individual photographed on the seaward reef at Gehh Island happened to be missing its tail.

Created 5 September 2017

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