OVERVIEW
IUCN Red List classification.
The distribution of Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) is limited to coastal waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortez (Mexico) to Peru. This species is often found in extremely large aggregations of up to tens of thousands of individuals at certain times of the year in the Sea of Cortez. While aggregated, Munk’s pygmy devil rays are known to breach regularly, often leaping several metres out of the water. Reasons for this behaviour are still unknown, but possibly linked to social dynamics.
Their typical schooling habits make them particularly vulnerable to demersal and pelagic gill nets as well as trawl and purse seine net fisheries.
DISC WIDTH
Average: 89-100cm
Max: 130cm
WEIGHT
up to 25kg
LIFESPAN
unknown
KEY FEATURES
Brownish to mauve-grey dorsally
A dark black head ‘collar’ is visible in most specimens, with a lighter grey stripe often visible in front, sandwiched between the collar and a dark mouth strip.
Tail shorter than disc width.
Dorsal fin with dark rim along margins, often with a lighter grey area in the middle.
WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER MOBULID SPECIES?
