Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Scuba diver and Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean. Model released.

Andy Rouse / Manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming on ocean floor Coral Bay, Australia

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) and Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana) in background, accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

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...

Juergen Freund / Manta rays (Manta birostris) at cleaning station being cleaned by wrasses, Moluccas Islands, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / A parade of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia,

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station, seen from behind. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station with diver swimming behind it. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta rays (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station with diver looking up at it. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, February 2010

Alex Mustard / Large female Giant Pacific Manta Ray (Manta birostris) swimming below surf crashing into Roca Partida, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico. East Pacific Ocean. February

Alex Mustard / Group of Manta rays (Manta birostris) feeding together on plankton in a shallow lagoon. Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Large Manta ray (Manta birostris) feeding on plankton in very shallow water, viewed from the surface. Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Manta ray (Manta birostris) feeding on plankton in a shallow lagoon. Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Giant Pacific Manta Ray (Manta birostris) portrait with Remora fish (Echeneididae) Roca Partida, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico. East Pacific Ocean. February

Georgette Douwma / Manta ray {Manta birostris} feeding at surface, Sudan, Red Sea

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

Flip Nicklin / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico

DOC WHITE / Underside view of Manta Ray {Manta birostris} Mexico,

Georgette Douwma / Manta rays filter feeding at sea surface, Red Sea off Sudan

Ralph Pace / Manta Ray (Manta birostris), Baja California, Mexico

Fred Bavendam / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) with attached White Suckerfish (Remora albescens), Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), with remoras, suckerfish (Remora remora) on either side of its head San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris) with Remora (Remora remora) San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris) with Remora, suckerfish (Remora remora) San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Scuba diver and Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Scuba diver and Manta ray (Manta birostris), San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Franco Banfi / Manta ray (Manta birostris) with Remora, suckerfish (Remora remora) San Benedicto, Revillagigedo (Socorro) Islands, Mexico, East Pacific Ocean

Jeff Rotman / Manta ray (Manta birostris) being hauled onto boat by gill net fishermen. Huatabampo, Mexico, Gulf of California, Pacific Ocean Model released.

Jeff Rotman / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) caught in gill net, with diver observing the carcass, Huatabampo, Mexico, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Ocean. Model released. May 2008. Model released.

Jeff Rotman / Manta Rays (Manta birostris) being butchered by gill net fishermen, ready for market, Huatabampo, Mexico, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Ocean Model released.

Jeff Rotman / Manta ray (Manta birostris) being hauled onto boat by gill net fishermen. Huatabampo, Mexico, Gulf of California, Pacific Ocean. Model released. May 2008. Model released.

Jeff Rotman / Manta ray (Manta birostris) being hauled onto boat by gill net fishermen. Huatabampo, Mexico, Gulf of California, Pacific Ocean, Model released. May 2008. Model released.

Jeff Rotman / Manta Ray (Manta birostris) caught in gill net, silhouetted against sunlight, Huatabampo, Mexico, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Ocean

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

Norbert Wu / Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) group following Manta Ray (Manta birostris) to pick up food bits, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico

Norbert Wu / Remora (Remora remora) on Manta Ray (Manta birostris), Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) and Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana) in background, accompanied by Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

Nuno Sa / Manta Ray (Manta Birostris) accompanied by Pilot Fish (Naucrates ductor) and Remora. Santa Maria Island, Azores, September.

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 / (Manta alfredi formerly Manta birostris) filter feeding on plankton, one with a lot of white dorsal pigmentation, Hanifaru Bay, Hanifaru Lagoon, Baa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October

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 / Diver watching Manta rays (Manta birostris) at cleaning station being cleaned by wrasses, Moluccas Islands, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Manta ray (Manta birostris) swimming, Komodo NP, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / A parade of giant manta rays (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta rays (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station, seen from above. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia,

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station, seen from below. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) hunting in the shallows. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station with snorkelers. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.

Juergen Freund / Giant manta ray (Manta birostris) at a cleaning station. North Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.