Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mobula tarapacana
- Common name
- Sicklefin devil ray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Mobulidae
- Genus
- Mobula
- Size
- 250–370 cm
- Depth
- 0–1800 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Macaronesia, Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Mobula tarapacana reaches 3.7 m wingspan. Large mobula with olive-brown back, white belly, two rigid cephalic fins. Listed EN following intense overfishing. Forms iconic giant Azores aggregations on Princess Alice and Condor seamounts in warm season (June-October), in dozens to hundreds, one of the most impressive underwater shows worldwide. Social cleaning behavior. Global tropical to warm-temperate distribution.
Photo of Sicklefin devil ray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sicklefin devil ray?
- Sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) reaches 250–370 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sicklefin devil ray?
- Sicklefin devil ray is found between 0–1800 m deep.
- Is the Sicklefin devil ray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sicklefin devil ray?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Sicklefin devil ray?
- Found in: Macaronesia, Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Mobula
- Mobula mobular - Giant devil ray
- Mobula alfredi - Reef manta ray
- Mobula munkiana - Munk's devil ray
- Mobula thurstoni - Bentfin devil ray
- Mobula birostris - Giant manta ray
Other species in the family Mobulidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105859)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2419179)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia