school of fish in background
Skip to page Header home about your sanctuary visiting your sanctuary education science management news and events protecting resources image library document library Get Involved advisory council NOAA logo - a circle with a stylized seabird in flight; background is dark blue above the bird and light blue below the bird.

blank spacefacebook icon

 


Image Library

Skip to Main Content
Image Library Home    Species Lists    Maps
Videos    Manta Catalog    Monitoring
Historic Expeditions    Secrets of the Gulf Expedition

MANTA CATALOG - M54, M55, M58

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 M54, M55, and M58, 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.

M54 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M54 swimming to the right
Manta M54
August 1995
Flower Garden Banks
Photo credit: Joyce & Frank Burek

top of page

M55 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M55 swimming to the right.  A remora is attached to the ray below the right eye.
Manta M55
2001
Stetson Bank
Photo credit: Joyce & Frank Burek

top of page

M58 - SPOTS & SQUARES

Belly view of manta ray M58 swimming to the right.  A small remora is attached to the ray below the right eye.
Manta M58
February 1997
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #2
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

top of page

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.

top of page



weather report observations cool stuff get wet


Juvenile blue tang (fish).  Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.
   
National Marine Sanctuary logo - a stylized whale tail above waves