Devil ray
Mobula mobular
Sicklefin devil ray
Mobula tarapacana
About
The sicklefin devil ray is often seen gliding just under the surface, but this same animal can vanish on dives deeper than almost any other ray in the ocean.
- Weight
- max 350 kg
- Depth
- 0–20 m
How to tell it apart
It shares its range with other large rays, including manta rays. Look at the tips of the pectoral fins: on this species they sweep sharply backward into a curved, sickle-like point, unlike the straighter fin edges of other devil rays and mantas.
Appearance
This large ray has a long head with a pair of small fins near the mouth, called cephalic lobes, and a short tail without a spine. It is dark blue to olive-brown or brownish above, fading to white then grey underneath, with a sharp line where the two colours meet. It can weigh up to 350kg.
Did you know?
This ray is one of the deepest-diving animals in the ocean. On its longest dives it descends in stages, pausing at certain depths where prey is thick before working its way back toward the surface.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
