Not sure what type of manta you are looking at? Want to know how to identify individual mantas?

Firstly to identify species

Look at 1) Size

Manta birostris grows much larger than Manta alfredi. If the manta is over 5 m it is likely birostris

2) Teeth

Not easy to see, but if there were teeth in upper and lower jaw it is birostris

3) Protruberance in front of tail

Look hard at the area behind the dorsal fin just in front of the tail. If a bump (protruberance) is present it is birostris

4) Dorsal pattern

For non all-black mantas a collar is seen in Manta alfredi and more geometrical shoulder bars are seen in birostris

Distinctive physical characteristics to distinguish Manta alfredi (a) from Manta birostris (b).

(1) M. birostris may grow to maximum disc width 7 m whilst M. alfredi is smaller, maximum 4.9 m.

(2) M. birostris has teeth in both jaws but M. alfredi has teeth in lower jaw only.

(3) M. birostris has a postdorsal protruberance whilst M. alfredi does not.

(4) In mantas of both species when a chevron is present a “collar” (5) is seen in M. alfredi and “shoulder bars” (5) in M. birostris.

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