{"id":12998,"date":"2024-04-16T15:17:45","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T15:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/temoanaexpeditions.com\/mantas-arrecife-vs-mantas-oceanicas\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T14:55:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T14:55:23","slug":"reef-mantas-vs-oceanic-mantas-discover-their-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/temoanaexpeditions.com\/en\/reef-mantas-vs-oceanic-mantas-discover-their-differences\/","title":{"rendered":"Reef Mantas vs Oceanic Mantas, Discover their differences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Until 2017, the scientific community classified reef and oceanic mantas<\/strong> under the genus <\/span>Manta. <\/span><\/i>However, advanced DNA studies revealed a great similarity with rays from the genus <\/span>Mobula<\/span><\/i>, leading to both the Oceanic and Reef Manta now being classified under the Mobula genus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we will explain how to identify these two species<\/strong> and also suggest ways you, as a diver, can contribute to scientific research and conservation efforts to better protect the areas where they commonly reside.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Characteristics and Behavior of Oceanic and Reef Mantas<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Let’s start by differentiating their names, characteristics, and behavior:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Oceanic Manta<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Scientific name: <\/b>Mobula birostris<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Common name: <\/b>Oceanic Manta, Pelagic Manta, Giant Manta<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Size: <\/b>up to 9 meters<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Weight:<\/b> up to 2,300 kg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Habitat and behavior<\/b>: They inhabit open ocean waters, far from the coast, and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They typically have a dark coloration on the upper body with white markings on the ventral side. These mantas tend to be more migratory, traveling long distances in open waters. They may form temporary aggregations in feeding and cleaning areas.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"oceanic<\/p>\n\n

Reef Manta<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Scientific name: <\/b>Mobula alfredi<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Common name:<\/b> Reef Manta<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Size:<\/b> up to 5.5 meters<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Weight:<\/b> up to 1,400 kg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Habitat and behavior:<\/b>\u00a0They prefer coastal habitats such as coral reefs, lagoons, and bays, primarily in tropical and subtropical waters. They exhibit a variety of patterns and colorations, including spots, stripes, and solid areas of color, with more diversity than oceanic mantas. Reef mantas tend to be more sedentary, remaining in specific areas such as coral reefs and cleaning stations<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"reef<\/p>\n\n

Similarities Between These Two Manta Species<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Despite their different habitats and characteristics, they share many similarities:<\/span><\/p>\n