Reef manta Ray - Maximum mass (tonnes): 1.4

One of the biggest ray species in the world, the Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) belongs to the family Mobulidae. It is the second-largest species of ray among those that are widely recognized, only being topped by the enormous oceanic manta ray (a currently unrecognized species from the Caribbean region also appears to be larger than the reef manta ray). Australian Museum director Gerard Krefft first described the species in 1868. In recognition of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the first member of the British royal family to visit Australia, he gave it the name M. alfredi. It was initially classified as belonging to the genus Manta, but in 2017 it was modified to be included with the rest of the mantas.

Reef manta rays can grow to a maximum size of about 5.5 m, with a normal disc width of 3 to 3.5 m. The reef manta ray's position as a distinct species - which had long been mistakenly believed to be part of M. birostris—was only established in 2009. The Indo-Pacific region is home to a large population of reef manta rays, however, there are just a few specimens from the tropical East Atlantic and none from the West Atlantic or East Pacific. The reef manta ray is often found in shallower, more coastal settings than the huge oceanic manta ray, though local migrations have occasionally been seen.