5418
Manta Ray
Tropical
Oceans Worldwide
Marine
Mania expansion
$850
No
No
No
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5418 |
Manta Ray |
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Tropical
Oceans Worldwide
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Marine
Mania expansion
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$850
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No
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No
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No
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The diamond shaped Manta birostris is commonly known as the manta ray. This cartilaginous fish is the largest of the rays. The largest manta rays measure almost 30 feet from tip to tip, with weights exceeding 3,000 pounds. The average specimen grows to be about 22 feet wide. Most individuals are black or brown on top, but their mottled undersides have distinctive patterns that allow humans to tell one ray from another. Manta rays have a short and thin tail with a small dorsal fin at the base. Unlike other members of the ray family, they have no stinging barbs on this tail. With eyes on the sides of their heads, they can keep an eye out for predators in all directions. Like other sharks and rays, the manta has a cartilaginous skeleton. Unlike most fish, the manta has some control over its internal temperature. Special blood vessels found around the brain help prevents thermal shock when the manta dives. Despite its formidable appearance, the manta ray is a gentle filter feeder. The manta uses filtering plates in its gills to separate plankton and small fish larvae out of the water it breathes. Using flaps near the mouth called cephalic lobes, the manta scoops more plankton rich water towards its gills. These cephalic lobes are kept furled when the animal is not feeding. The acrobatics of the manta ray are thought to create turbulence in the water in order to trap more plankton in the cephalic lobes. The manta feeds exclusively through its gills. The hundreds of tiny teeth in its mouth are vestigial and are not used for any purpose. Manta rays are primarily pelagic, meaning that they live in the middle of the water column, rather than at the surface or in the deeps. They will swim towards the surface to feed or to bask. Manta rays are harmless, with no usable teeth or stinging spines, but they have few predators to worry about. Some sharks and large cetaceans (like killer whales) will sometimes attack a young manta, but they are otherwise left in peace. They are frequently found with remorhas living on them, eating parasites and small pieces of food off their skin. They will also approach cleaner fish to have the parasites that often plague them eaten away. Mantas are also willing to let divers pet and scratch them in a way similar to the cleaner fish. However, too much scratching can lead to infection and disease. The small tail of the manta ray cannot be used for propulsion. Instead, the pectoral fins have strong muscles that move the outer body, or wings. The flapping motion of these wings creates the forward momentum for the manta. The shape of the manta’s body creates the hydrodynamic lift needed to keep it in the water column when it is motionless. The manta ray is found in tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world. Scientists think that mantas in different oceans may be different species, but no one has yet proven this. Although the nomadic manta ray is often solitary, they occasionally migrate in small groups. Like many sharks, the eggs of the manta ray hatch inside the female. Single pups, and occasionally twins, are born alive in a process known as aplacental vivparity. Some observers say the mother manta will breach and eject her pup into the air while giving birth. Once born, the four-foot-wide pups can jump entirely out of the water. Adults can only breach, lifting their heads out of the water before reentering.
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80
|
95
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75
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70
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5
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35
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-5
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No
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To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers) |
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Which tank wall is suitable for this animal? Remember that all tanks need a tank filter! |
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How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be? |
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Does this animal perform in a show? |
No |
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See Through |
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Concrete Edge and Glass |
$125 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
|
Atlantean Tank Wall |
$125 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
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Solid Concrete |
$125 |
No |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
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Black Bar and Glass |
$130 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.0 |
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Number of Animals/Exhibit |
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20 |
2 |
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6 |
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| TankDepth |
4
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28
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
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| Saltwater |
100
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20
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40
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60
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80
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100
|
120
|
140
|
160
|
180
|
200
|
|
14
|
11
|
22
|
34
|
45
|
56
|
67
|
78
|
90
|
101
|
112
|
|
|
20
|
4
|
8
|
12
|
16
|
20
|
24
|
28
|
32
|
36
|
40
|
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Exhibit Size |
100
|
20
|
40
|
60
|
80
|
100
|
120
|
140
|
160
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180
|
200
|
|
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7408
|
8
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Fire
Coral
|
8
|
$150
|
5.3
|
|
7407
|
6
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Feather
Duster Worm
|
6
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$120
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5.0
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|
7406
|
6
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Divercate
Tree Coral
|
6
|
$125
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4.8
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7417
|
6
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Sea
Grass
|
6
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$100
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6.0
|
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7419
|
6
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Stove
Pipe Sponge
|
6
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$150
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4.0
|
|
7414
|
3
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Sea
Cucumber
|
3
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$125
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2.4
|
|
7411
|
3
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Red
Gorgonian
|
3
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$125
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2.4
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7415
|
3
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Sea
Star
|
3
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$125
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2.4
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|
7416
|
3
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Seaweed
|
3
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$100
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3.0
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7412
|
3
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Sargassum
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3
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$150
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2.0
|
|
7413
|
3
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Sand
Dollar
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3
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$110
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2.7
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|
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9235
|
6
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Small
Ocean Floor Rock
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1
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1
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Yes
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24
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$100
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24.0
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9237
|
6
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Large
Ocean Floor Rock
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4
|
4
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Yes
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6
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$165
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3.6
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|
9238
|
6
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Medium
Ocean Floor Rock
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2
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2
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Yes
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6
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$150
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4.0
|
|
9239
|
6
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Large
Coral Formation
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4
|
6
|
Yes
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6
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$175
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3.4
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9236
|
6
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Medium
Coral Formation
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4
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4
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Yes
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6
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$150
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4.0
|
|
9241
|
6
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Isle
Rock
|
8
|
8
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Yes
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6
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$150
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4.0
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|
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8135
|
Seafloor
Cave
|
10
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0
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$650
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4
|
No
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6466
|
Fake
Clam
|
100
|
$185
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6468
|
Treasure
Chest
|
100
|
$185
|
|
6470
|
Deep
Sea Diver
|
100
|
$200
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High
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5
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ReproductionInterval(months): |
9
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-12
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98
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10
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4
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TimeDeath(months): |
36
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BabyToAdult(months): |
4
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-10
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-20
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||
|
5
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60
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||
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-5
|
-5
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||
|
20
|
1
|
||
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-10
|
-15
|
||
|
-10
|
-15
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|
10 |
Krill |
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