Mobula alfredi, commonly known as the reef stingray or Alfred's stingray, is one of the most majestic species in the ocean. This elasmobranch fish, which belongs to the mobulid family, is distinguished by its impressive wingspan, which can reach up to 5.5 meters wide, although it generally measures between 3 and 4 meters.
The Mobula alfredi has a flat, rhomboidal body with pectoral fins that extend to the sides like large wings. Its dorsal part is a dark color, varying between gray, black and blue, while its ventral part is white, often with dark spots that are unique to each individual, functioning as a "fingerprint." On the head, this species has two cephalic lobes that extend forward, just in front of the mouth, which are used to channel food into its oral cavity.
This stingray feeds mainly on plankton, which it filters from the water while swimming with its mouth open. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters, mainly around coral reefs, where it performs graceful movements and is often seen swimming near the surface or interacting with other manta rays in behaviors that appear to be social.
The Mobula alfredi is a viviparous species, meaning that females give birth to fully formed offspring after a gestation period. Its reproduction is slow, as they usually have only one offspring every two or three years, making them vulnerable to overexploitation.
Despite its large size and intimidating appearance, the Mobula alfredi is completely harmless to humans, making it an object of fascination for divers and marine biologists. However, its population is in decline due to intensive fishing and habitat destruction, which is why it is currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Approximate measurements of the Manta Ray:
The Mobula alfredi has a flat, rhomboidal body with pectoral fins that extend to the sides like large wings. Its dorsal part is a dark color, varying between gray, black and blue, while its ventral part is white, often with dark spots that are unique to each individual, functioning as a "fingerprint." On the head, this species has two cephalic lobes that extend forward, just in front of the mouth, which are used to channel food into its oral cavity.
This stingray feeds mainly on plankton, which it filters from the water while swimming with its mouth open. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters, mainly around coral reefs, where it performs graceful movements and is often seen swimming near the surface or interacting with other manta rays in behaviors that appear to be social.
The Mobula alfredi is a viviparous species, meaning that females give birth to fully formed offspring after a gestation period. Its reproduction is slow, as they usually have only one offspring every two or three years, making them vulnerable to overexploitation.
Despite its large size and intimidating appearance, the Mobula alfredi is completely harmless to humans, making it an object of fascination for divers and marine biologists. However, its population is in decline due to intensive fishing and habitat destruction, which is why it is currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Approximate measurements of the Manta Ray:
- 1:24 scale assembly kit
- Length 167 mm
- Height 61 mm
- Width 117 mm
- Snout-tail length 156 mm
