Once again, a giant manta, the world’s largest species of ray, is living in the Kuroshio Sea tank!

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is happy to announce the re-exhibit of a giant manta (Mobula birostris).

Giant manta
Scientific name：Mobula birostris

The giant manta is the world’s largest species of ray. An adult giant manta can reach 6 meters in width. The giant manta and the Alfred manta are part of the genus Mobula. Along with the two manta species, there are 9 other species in the genus Mobula. Previously the giant manta and Alfred manta were thought to be same species, but in 2009, they were recognized as separate species. The two species differ in the skin color around their mouths, the patterns on their backs, and the arrangement of teeth and scales. The giant manta is a pelagic species and is not usually found near the coast of Okinawa. There is limited knowledge about its ecology and reproduction.

Place of exhibit

“The Kuroshio Sea” main tank of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Size of Exhibit

1 Male, width 466cm, Weight 630kg
*Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animals.

 The giant manta on display is the same individual that was exhibited in The Kuroshio Sea tank from 15th November 2018 to 9th February 2019. Due to health concerns that giant manta was moved to the aquarium’s offshore ocean-pen in Motobu, to monitor its health. On the 30th May 2020, the giant manta was returned to the Kuroshio Tank. After carefully monitoring its health, and having observed it feeding well and habituated to its new environment, we have decided to continue the exhibition. Along with the giant manta other species from the genus Mobula are living in the Kuroshio Sea. These include the Alfred mantas (reaching 4 meters in width), black variants of the Alfred manta (commonly known as black manta), and smoothtail devil rays (Mobula thrustoni) the smallest species in Japan (reaching 2 meters in width). Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world where you can observe these species of Mobula at the same time. We hope you take the opportunity to experience this rare sight of different species of Mobula swimming leisurely in the tank at the same time. 

These species can also be identified in the Churaumi App (Scannable AI Encyclopaedia) along with further descriptions.

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  Alfred manta

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  Black variants of the Alfred manta

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  Smoothtail devil rays