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Rays - Marine life of Marsa Alam

Marine Life . 6 species

RaysGraceful giants and hidden gems.

From the tiny blue-spotted ribbontail hidden in the sand to the soaring reef manta, rays glide through Marsa Alam waters with quiet elegance.

Reef manta ray6Species in this group
BestMay-September (mantas) . Year-round (others)
Where10 dive sites

About rays

Rays in the Red Sea range from small bottom-dwellers in shore bays to oceanic giants at offshore reefs. Spotted eagle rays are seen on most boat dives. Reef mantas appear at Habili Ali and Daedalus during summer.

The species

Every ray you can meet in Marsa Alam.

Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi)Seasonal

Reef Manta Ray

Mobula alfredi

Graceful filter-feeding giant that hovers at cleaning stations and feeding sites. Each one identifiable by dorsal markings.

Did you know? Mantas have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish.
Size
5 m wingspan
Diet
Plankton
Season
May to September
Giant Oceanic Manta (Mobula birostris)Rare

Giant Oceanic Manta

Mobula birostris

The largest ray species - up to 7m wingspan. Pelagic visitor to Red Sea offshore reefs.

Did you know? They live up to 50 years and travel thousands of kilometres seasonally.
Size
7 m wingspan
Diet
Plankton
Season
Late spring

Best places to see one

Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)Common

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Elegantly patterned with white spots over dark blue-grey wings. Often seen in small groups gliding past walls.

Did you know? Eagle rays can leap clear of the water - exact reasons still debated.
Size
3 m wingspan
Diet
Mollusks, crustaceans
Season
Year-round
Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma)Very common

Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray

Taeniura lymma

Small, vibrantly coloured ray hiding in sandy bottoms. Bright blue spots over yellow-brown body.

Did you know? Despite the colour, they are well-camouflaged on coral rubble.
Size
70 cm
Diet
Crabs, shrimp, worms
Season
Year-round
Devil Ray (Mobula mobular)Rare

Devil Ray

Mobula mobular

Smaller cousin of the manta with distinctive horn-like cephalic fins. Forms large schools.

Did you know? Schools can number in the hundreds and travel synchronised across thousands of km.
Size
3.5 m wingspan
Diet
Plankton, small fish
Season
Spring

Best places to see one

Marbled Electric Ray (Torpedo sinuspersici)Rare

Marbled Electric Ray

Torpedo sinuspersici

Stocky bottom-dweller that delivers a strong electric shock to stun prey. Half-buried in sand.

Did you know? They can deliver up to 200 volts - enough to numb a human limb.
Size
1 m
Diet
Fish
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Other marine life

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