DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

MOBULIDAE (MANTA RAYS)

Manta birostris (Donndorff)
(Manta Ray; Fanihin Tasi)
Width: more than 300 cm (photo: by Mitch Warner, Tumon Bay)

Manta rays are the largest of all rays: at least one species attains a width of 23 ft and wt of 3,000 lbs.  They occur singly or in small groups in surface waters of lagoons and seaward reefs, frequently near channels where they feed on zooplankton strained from the water.  These magnificent creatures are entirely harmless and bring excitement to any dive on which they are encountered.

INDO-PACIFIC: Red Sea to Hawaii and the Tuamotus.