The Atlantic manta is characterized by a pair of forward-pointing lobes on each side of the head, with a supposed resemblance to a devil's horns. These lobes are used to guide plankton and small crustaceans into the fish's mouth as it cruises near the surface; dense gill rakers extract the plankton. The fish is harmless to humans, but its thrashing when caught can be dangerous.
The following video was taken snorkelling about 10 metres off the south end of Terrigal beach, NSW, Australia near the rock pool.
Scientific classification: Manta rays belong to the family Mobulidae. The Atlantic manta is classified as Manta birostris.
No comments:
Post a Comment