Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Manta Catalog Images: M5, M17, M23

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MANTA CATALOG - M5, M17, M23

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 M5, M17 and M23, including larger versions of the images from the Mostly White preview page. These mantas have undersides that are mostly white.

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

M5 - MOSTLY WHITE

Belly view of manta ray M5 swimming toward photographer
Manta M5
June 1995
Flower Garden Banks
Photo credit: Ferrell Cruise

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M17 - MOSTLY WHITE

Side view of manta ray M17 swimming to the left.
Manta M17
September 1999
Photo credit: Hickerson/FGBNMS

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M23 - MOSTLY WHITE

Belly view of manta ray M23 swimming away from photographer. A remora is attached to the ray below the right eye.
Manta M23
9/14/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

Belly view of manta ray M23 swimming to the right. A remora is attached to the ray below the right eye.
Manta M23
9/14/2006
East Flower Garden Bank, Buoy #1
Photo credit: Neal Baltz

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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.