Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Manta Catalog Images: M11, M13, M14

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MANTA CATALOG - M11, M13, M14

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 M11, M13, and M14, including larger versions of the images from the Spots and Squares preview page. These mantas have both spots and square-like blotches on their undersides.

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

M11 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M11 swimming to the right
Manta M11
12/9/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Gittings/FGBNMS

Top view of manta ray M11 as it swims away from the photographer
Manta M11
12/9/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Gittings/FGBNMS

Digital enhancement showing a spot and two square-like blotches near the mouth of manta ray M11
Manta M11
Digital enhancement showing markings near mouth

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M13 - SPOTS & SQUARES

This ray has been given the name Mírame (me'-rah-may), which is Spanish for "look at me!", because she has been sighted so many times.

Belly view of manta ray M13 swimming to the right
Manta M13 (Mírame)
Sept. 2006
Note: This manta is female
Photo credit: Kaile Tsapis

Close up belly view of manta ray M13 swimming to the left. A remora is attached to the ray over the gill slits on the left side.
Manta M13 (Mírame)
8/27/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Note: This manta is female
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Belly view of manta ray M13 swimming away from photographer
Manta M13 (Mírame)
12/9/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Note: This manta is female
Photo credit: T. Hughes

Close up belly view of manta ray M13 swimming to the right
Manta M13 (Mírame)
12/9/1997
East Flower Garden Bank
Note: This manta is female
Photo credit: T. Hughes

Belly view of manta ray M13 swimming to the left. A remora is attached to the ray under each eye.
Manta M13 (Mírame)
1/31/2003
Note: This manta is female
Photo credit: Kaile Tsapis

Manta M13
8/13/1997
Platform 386

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M14 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M18 swimming to the right. The head and tank of a diver are visible below the manta at the bottom of the photo.
Manta M14
7/10/2000
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

Close up belly view of manta ray M14 swimming to the left.
Manta M14
7/10/2000
West Flower Garden Bank
Photo credit: DeBose/FGBNMS

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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.