Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Manta Catalog Images: M29, M30, M32, M36

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MANTA CATALOG - M29, M30, M32, M36

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 M29, M30, M32, and M36, including larger versions of the images from the Spots preview page. These mantas have spot-like markings on their undersides.

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

M29 - SPOTS

Belly view of manta ray M29 swimming to the right
Manta M29
January 2005
Flower Garden Banks
Photo credit: Russ Wilkins

Manta M29
Digital enhancement of spot pattern

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M30 - SPOTS

Belly view of manta ray m30 swimming from left to right.
Manta M30
7/16/2009
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #4
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

7/23/2009
East Flower Garden Banks, Buoy #1
Neal Baltz

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M32 - SPOTS

Belly view of mant ray M32 swimming away from photographer
Manta M32
8/5/2007
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Photo credit: Sarah Davies

Belly view of manta ray M32 swimming to the left
Manta M32
9/1/2007
West Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #2
Photo credit: Angie Walden

Top view of manta ray M32 swimming away from photographer. Two remoras are attached near the head of the manta.
Manta M32
9/1/2007
West Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #2
Photo credit: Angie Walden

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M36 - SPOTS

Close up belly view of manta ray M36 swimming away from photographer
Manta M36
8/8/2004
East Flower Garden Bank
Tagged #3841
Photo credit: Andy Felth

8/8/2004
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #4
Tagged #3841
Joyce & Frank Burek

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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Juvenile blue tang (fish). Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.