Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Manta Catalog Images: M6, M8, M18

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MANTA CATALOG - M6, M8, M18

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 M6, M8, and M18, including larger versions of the images from the Squares preview page. These mantas have square-like blotches on their undersides.

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

M6 - SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M6 swimming away from photographer
Manta M6
7/2/2008
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Belly view of manta ray M6 swimming to the left
Manta M6
7/2/2008
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Belly view of manta ray M6 swimming away from photographer
Manta M6
7/2/2008
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Jamie Nobles

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M8 - SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M8 swimming to the left
Manta M8
1994
Photo credit: Jesse Cancelmo

Belly view of manta ray M8 swimming away from photographer
Manta M8
12/9/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Gittings/FGBNMS

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M18 - SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M18 swimming to the left
Maite (M18)*
8/19/2006
East Flower Garden Bank
Note: This manta is tagged
Photo credit: Jesse Cancelmo

*Named in honor of Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, an aspiring marine biologist from Uvalde, TX.

Belly view of manta ray M18 swimming toward the photographer. A diver is visible swimming behind the manta.
Maite (M18)
September 2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #4
Note: This manta is tagged
Photo credit: Steve Heuer

Top view of manta ray M18 as it swims way from the photographer. A remora is attached above each eye of the manta. An acoustic tag is visible on the right fin.
Maite (M18)
September 2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #4
Note: This manta is tagged
Photo credit: Steve Heuer

Belly view of manta ray M18 swimming to the right. A remora is attached in between the two cephalic fins.
Maite (M18)
8/16/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Grouper Valley
Note: This manta is tagged
Photo credit: Schmahl/FGBNMS

For information on the manta ray tagging program, please visit our Manta Research page.

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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.

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