school of fish in background
Skip to page Header home about your sanctuary visiting your sanctuary education science management news and events protecting resources image library Get Involved advisory council NOAA logo - a circle with a stylized seabird in flight; background is dark blue above the bird and light blue below the bird.

blank spacefacebook icon

 


Image Library

Skip to Main Content
Image Library Home    Species Lists    Maps
Videos    Manta Catalog    Monitoring
Historic Expeditions

MANTA CATALOG - M19, M21, M25

The Manta Catalog consists of a series of images and sighting information for individual mantas that have been seen at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary or nearby banks.

Each manta ray has been placed in a category depending on its unique underbelly markings. However, some manta rays' markings might be interpreted differently by different people, so be sure to look at all of the preview images to find the manta you are trying to identify.

This page includes additional images of mantas M19, M21, and M25, including larger versions of the images from the Spots and Squares preview page. These mantas have both spots and square-like blotches on their undersides.

Sightings and additional observations about these animals are also noted on this page.

M19 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M19 swimming away from photographer
Manta M19
8/31/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Note: This manta was seen with M20
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

Close up belly view of manta ray M19
Manta M19
8/31/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Note: This manta was seen with M20
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

top of page

M21 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M21 swimming to the right
Manta M21
8/31/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

Digital enhancement of markings near gill slits of manta ray M21
Manta M21
Digital Enhancement of belly markings

top of page

M25 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M25 swimming toward the photographer
Manta M25
8/8/2000
West Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #5
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Belly view of manta ray M25 swimming away from photographer
Manta M25
8/8/2000
West Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #5
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Side view of manta ray M25 swimming to the right.  A remora is attached to the ray above the right eye.
Manta M25
8/8/2000
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Joyce & Frank Burek

top of page

Manta Catalog Preview Images

Additional manta ray images can be viewed at the following links:

  • Spots - individual has spot-like markings
  • Squares - individual has square-like blotches
  • Spots and Squares - individual has a combinationof spots and square patterns
  • Mostly Black - individual is predominantly black/gray with few other markings
  • Mostly White - individual is predominantly white with few other markings
  • Tagged - individual possesses a tag on its dorsal side

For more information on identifiying manta rays, please visit the Manta Catalog page.

For information on manta ray research that is taking place in the sanctuary, please visit the Manta Ray Research page.

top of page



weather report observations cool stuff get wet


Juvenile blue tang (fish).  Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.
   
National Marine Sanctuary logo - a stylized whale tail above waves