Michael Pitts / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming over a cleaning station, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Doug Perrine / Researcher Guy Stevens photographs belly spot identification pattern of Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, Oc...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) barrel roll filter feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) chain-feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) vortex / cyclone feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton among Silverside fish that are also feeding on the plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Ind...

Flip Nicklin / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) with two Remora (Remora remora) attached to it, Hallcion Reef, Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Alex Mustard / Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) visiting a cleaning station on a coral reef with a school of Onespot snappers (Lutjanus monostigma), Oriental sweetlips (Plectorhinchus vittatus) and Sabre squirrelfish (Sa...

Tui De Roy / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) shoal filter feeding on plankton concentrated by monsoon currents in Raa Atoll, Vandhoo Thila, Maldives. October.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) female swimming close to a coral reef, while cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), tiny by comparison, pick parasites from her lips. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indone...

Alex Mustard / Portrait of a large female Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) swimming over a coral reef. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Pair of large reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) swim over a coral reef cleaning station. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean.

Tim Fitzharris / Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) pair, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

David Fleetham / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) with black colour variation cruising over coral drop off. Fiji.

Alex Mustard / Manta ray (Mobula birostris) approaching a reef to be cleaned. Cousins Rock, San Salvador Island, Santiago Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands. East Pacific Ocean.

David Fleetham / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) swimming over shallows with diver in background. West Maui, Hawaii. September 2010. Model released.

David Fleetham / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) over hard coral off West Maui, Hawaii.

David Fleetham / Manta ray (Manta alfredi) with cleaner wrasse, Manta Reef, Kandavu, Fiji.

David Fleetham / Manta ray (Manta alfredi) with cleaner wrasse, Manta Reef, Kandavu, Fiji.

David Fleetham / Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) cruising overhead with diver in background. Ukumehame, Maui, Hawaii.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) at a cleaning station with Cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus). South Ari Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) swimming with Remoras (Remora remora). South Ari Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Jordi Chias / Giant manta (Manta birtostris) swimming over the reef, Ari Atoll, Maldives Islands. Indian Ocean

Jordi Chias / Giant manta (Manta birtostris) swimming over a cleaning station, Malet Atoll, Maldives islands.

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris) Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sulu Sea, Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) feeding on plankton attracted by light at night, among schooling Hawaiian flagtail (Kuhlia xenura) akako Bay, Keahole, Kona, Hawaii. August.

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) feeding on plankton attracted by light at night, among schooling Hawaiian flagtail (Kuhlia xenura) akako Bay, Keahole, Kona, Hawaii. August.

Jordi Chias / Reef manta (Manta alfredi) mouth open feeding at night, South Ari atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Jordi Chias / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) being cleaned by small wrasses at cleaning station, South Ari atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Jordi Chias / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) being cleaned by small wrasses at cleaning station, South Ari atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Michael Pitts / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming over a cleaning station, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Michael Pitts / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming over a reef, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Fred Bavendam / Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) swimming, Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Fred Bavendam / Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) feeding on plankton, Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Doug Perrine / Researcher Mark Deakos using a video camera with laser spotting lights to record the identification pattern (unique pattern of spots on underside) of a Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) Makalawena, Kona,...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi) at a cleaning station on a coral reef between Makalawena and Mahaiula to have parasites removed by wrasses, Kona Coast, Hawaii, USA. Central Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Manta rays (Manta birostris) pair feeding on plankton near the surface over a coral reef, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Photographer Thomas Peschak photographing Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) at cleaning station, Manta Point, Lankan, North Male Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, November 2010

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Researcher Guy Stevens photographs belly spot identification pattern of Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) at cleaning station on coral reef, Manta Point, Lankan, North Male Atoll...

Doug Perrine / close up of gills of Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) feeding, with open gill slits showing gill plates through which plankton is filtered (and which also draw oxygen from the w...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) feeding on plankton at surface, Kihaadufaru Reef, with Dhonfanu Island in background, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, Octob...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) with shark bite out of pectoral fin, among group feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) with cephalic fins rolled up, being cleaned by Moon wrasses (Thalassoma lunare) and Blue-streak cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus) Hanifaru...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) being cleaned by Moon wrasses (Thalassoma lunare) and Blue-streak cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus) at mouth of Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lago...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) swimming over cleaning station on patch reef with Yellow / Golden sweepers (Parapriacanthus ransonetti) and other schooling fish, Hanifaru Bay e...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) being cleaned by Moon wrasses (Thalassoma lunare) and Blue-streak cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus) Hanifaru Bay entrance, Hanifaru Lagoon,...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) with gills puffed out for cleaning initial phase by Two-tone wrasses (Thalassoma amblycephalum) and other wrasses, with Giant anemone (Heteracti...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) being cleaned by Moon wrasses (Thalassoma lunare), initial phase Two-tone wrasses (Thalassoma amblycephalum) and Blue-streak cleaner wrasses (...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) being cleaned by Moon wrasses (Thalassoma lunare) with cleaner fish inside open mouth, Sunshine Thila, Lankan, North Male Atoll, Maldives, India...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) barrel roll filter feeding on plankton, accompanied by juvenile Golden pilot jacks (Gnathanodon speciosus), Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, I...

Doug Perrine / Diver photographing Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) at reef cleaning station with cleaner wrasse at mouth of Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean,...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays(Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, with tourist snorkeling and diving down to touch a ray, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian O...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, with tourist snorkeling and diving down to touch a ray, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, with tourist snorkeling in background and trying to touch a ray, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, with snorkelers and scuba divers in background, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, O...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton among school of Fusilier fish (Caesionidae), Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, Octob...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton among Silverside fish that are also feeding on the plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indi...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton among Silverside fish that are also feeding on the plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Ind...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) chain filter feeding on plankton, swimming over school of Fusilier fish (Caesionidae) Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, India...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) chain filter feeding on plankton among Silverside fish in feeding aggregation, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean...

Doug Perrine / Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) chain-feeding on plankton, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October, Digitally enhanced image.

Juergen Freund / Manta ray cleaning station with coral reef teeming with fish and tunicates. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming around a small patch of reef. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, February

Alex Mustard / A Manta ray (Manta birostris) hovering above a cleaning station on a coral reef, while a diver photographs it from below. Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. March

Alex Mustard / A Manta ray (Manta birostris) hovering above a cleaning station on a coral reef, while a diver photographs it from below. Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. March

Alex Mustard / A Black Manta ray (Manta birostris) hovers above a cleaning station on a coral reef. Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. March

Juergen Freund / Manta ray {Manta birostris} swimming just below the surface, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Flip Nicklin / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) with two Remora (Remora remora) attached to it, over Hallcion Reef off of Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Flip Nicklin / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) with two Remora (Remora remora), Hallcion Reef, Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Norbert Wu / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) feeding on plankton in current, Sangalakki Island, Borneo

Juergen Freund / Manta ray swimming over coral reef {Manta birostris} Indo Pacific

Tim Fitzharris / Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) and Basslet (Pseudanthias sp) school, Indonesia

Fred Bavendam / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) feeding on plankton, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Juergen Freund / Manta ray swimming over reef {Manta birostris} Indo Pacific

David Fleetham / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) swimming over reef, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, Pacific Ocean.

Tom Vierus / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) melanistic, with a large shark bite on its fin, swimming in open water, Wakaya Island, Lomaiviti Group, Fiji, Pacific Ocean. Endangered.

Tom Vierus / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) melanistic, with a large shark bite on its fin, arriving at a coral reef cleaning station, Wakaya Marine Reserve, Wakaya Island, Lomaiviti Group, Fiji, Pacific Ocean. E...

Franco Banfi / Giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. Small fish swarm the underside of the ray as it swims over, removing parasites from its skin. Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Doug Perrine / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) with Saddle wrasses (Thalassoma duperrey) and Hawaiian cleaner wrasses (Labroides phthirophagus) at cleaning station on coral reef, Keahole Point, North Kona, Hawaii Is...

David Fleetham / Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) feed over baskets of lights used to attract plankton at night, Kona Coast, Big Island, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean.

Russell Laman / Remoras (Echeneis naucrates) swimming on underside of Reef manta (Mobula alfredi), Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean.

Russell Laman / Reef manta (Mobula alfredi) getting cleaned of parasites, dead skin, bacteria, and mucus by Blacklip butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) and Moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) at a cleaning station in Raja...

Alex Mustard / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton attracted to diving torches placed on the seabed at night, Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton aggregating in the lights from a boat at night, Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Group of Clarion angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) cleaning an Oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) as it swims over the reef, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, Pacific Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton attracted to diving torches placed on the seabed at night, Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton attracted to lights at night, Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding on plankton aggregated in the lights from a boat at night, North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.

David Fleetham / Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) with mouth wide open, feeding over lights which attract plankton, off Kona Coast of Hawaii, Hawaii. Pacific Ocean.