How Do Manta Rays and Stingrays Differ?

Mistaking a manta ray for a stingray is common, given their shared traits: expansive, flat bodies, heads fused to broad, triangular pectoral fins, and tail-like extensions. Both belong to the Chondrichthyes class, which encompasses sharks and chimaeras as well.

Despite their relation, manta rays and stingrays exhibit numerous distinctions. Notably, manta rays comprise only two species, whereas stingrays boast over 200 varieties.

What other distinctions exist? Let’s begin with stingrays. According to Erin McCombs, education supervisor at California's Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, stingrays possess flat bodies and expansive pectoral fins, which can create either a rounded or diamond-like shape with sharp edges. In an email interview, she notes, "Stingrays differ from manta rays with their slender, elongated tails, often featuring a small stinger (or barb) near the tail's base."

On the other hand, a manta ray is essentially a type of stingray. McCombs explains, "Over time, they have shed their stingers but evolved distinct features, such as cephalic lobes (specialized facial flaps that assist in filtering plankton from the water)."

Another key distinction lies in their mouths: stingrays have mouths positioned on their undersides, whereas manta rays’ mouths are situated at the front of their bodies.

If this seems overwhelming, don’t fret. As you grow more acquainted with these marine animals, distinguishing between them becomes simpler. To aid you, here are seven fascinating facts that highlight their differences and provide deeper insights into both species.

1. Manta Rays Are Enormous

"The giant oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) holds the record as the largest ray, boasting a wingspan of up to 29 feet [8.8 meters]," shares Kim Stone, curator of fish and invertebrates at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, via email. "Some can reach 20 feet [6 meters] from wingtip to wingtip." In contrast, stingrays are considerably smaller, with the short-nose electric ray measuring just under 4 inches (10 centimeters) in width.

2. They Have Different Diets

Manta rays are filter feeders, dining on plankton such as fish eggs, krill, and other microscopic marine creatures. Stingrays, however, hunt fish, gastropods, crustaceans, and similar small prey. "While feeding, manta rays often perform underwater somersaults and may even breach the surface," explains Stone. "They also feed while swimming horizontally."

According to McCombs, most stingrays rely on their flat teeth to crush the tough shells of prey like crabs and clams. "They inhabit the seafloor, often hiding beneath the sand for camouflage. In contrast, manta rays use their cephalic lobes to guide tiny food particles into their mouths. They thrive in open waters and rarely settle on the ocean floor," she explains. "Stingrays possess a unique sensory system (ampullae of Lorenzini) to detect the electrical signals of buried prey. Manta rays use the same ability to locate plankton drifting in the water."

3. Manta Rays Breach

"Manta rays propel themselves out of the water," McCombs notes. "While the exact reason for this behavior remains unclear, it may serve purposes like communication, mating, or parasite removal. They also visit cleaning stations, where they remain still above reefs, allowing smaller fish to rid them of parasites."

4. Stingrays Are More Aggressive

"Stingrays defend themselves using a stinger located near their tail," McCombs states. "Manta rays lack this venomous feature. Instead, they rely on their immense size and swift speed to evade threats, though they face few natural predators."

"When at the beach, shuffle your feet through the sand to prevent accidentally stepping on a stingray," McCombs advises. "Avoid touching marine life, as it can disrupt their natural behaviors in the ocean."

What should you do if you get stung? "Seek medical attention to manage pain and check for allergic reactions," Stone recommends. "If the barb remains lodged in the wound, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Apply warm or hot water to alleviate pain until professional help is available."

5. Both Are Pretty Smart

"Recent research indicates that manta rays and stingrays are more intelligent than previously believed," McCombs explains. "Aquarium-dwelling stingrays can be trained to swim to specific targets or engage with enrichment tools. Studies on manta rays suggest they may even exhibit self-awareness. When encountering a mirror, their interactions imply they recognize their own reflection rather than mistaking it for another manta ray."

6. Manta Rays Do Elaborate Courtship Dances

Many stingrays, including manta rays, typically swim alone and only interact with others during breeding or migration. However, their mating rituals are fascinating. "A group of males pursues a female for hours until only one remains," McCombs explains. "The successful male uses its clasper to mate with the female. The female can store the sperm for years, fertilizing her eggs only when conditions are ideal."

7. Both Species Are Vulnerable

Stingrays are frequently targeted for their fins and meat, and they are often caught as bycatch during fishing for other species, McCombs notes. "Due to unsustainable fishing practices, many stingray species are endangered, and even more lack sufficient research to determine their conservation status," she says. "Manta rays face similar fishing pressures, including targeted fishing for their gill rakers. Their open-ocean habitat also makes them prone to entanglement in large nets. Both species are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Endangered stingray species include the longhead eagle ray, mottled eagle ray, and longnose marbled whipray."