Manta rays are among the largest and most captivating fish, known for their immense size and gentle nature. These creatures possess wingspans that can stretch up to 23 feet, gliding gracefully through tropical and subtropical waters globally. Although they are filter feeders, dining on microscopic plankton, their presence is felt across diverse marine ecosystems. While often observed as solitary wanderers, manta rays also engage in social behaviors, occasionally congregating in distinct assemblies. This tendency to gather prompts the common question about the appropriate term for such a group.
The Official Collective Noun
The most commonly accepted collective noun for a group of manta rays is a “squadron.” This term captures the visual experience of watching multiple rays move together through the water column. The imagery is drawn from aviation, as their wide, diamond-shaped bodies and rhythmic pectoral fin movements create the illusion of a fleet of underwater aircraft flying in formation.
Another collective noun sometimes used is a “fever,” which applies more broadly to groups of rays in general. While “fever” is not specific to mantas, “squadron” is widely adopted due to the animals’ unique, coordinated gliding motion. This name reflects the organized, often linear manner in which they travel or feed.
Behavioral Reasons for Grouping
Manta rays are not obligate social animals, but they group together for specific and temporary purposes tied to survival and reproduction.
Mass Feeding
One of the primary drivers for aggregation is mass feeding, which occurs when they encounter dense patches of zooplankton. In a feeding frenzy, rays perform “ram feeding,” swimming through the plankton with their large, open mouths. They often barrel-roll or loop to maximize their intake.
Reproduction
A separate behavior that necessitates grouping is reproduction, where they form a “courtship train.” During this process, a single receptive female is pursued by a line of up to 25 to 30 males, all competing to mate. This train formation can last for hours, demonstrating a structured social interaction.
Cleaning Stations
Manta rays also congregate at designated “cleaning stations” on coral reefs. Here, smaller fish, such as cleaner wrasse, remove parasites and dead tissue from their bodies. Researchers suggest these stations serve as important social gathering points where individuals choose to group with preferred partners. This aggregation is not solely for hygiene but also for social interaction.
Common Group Sizes and Locations
The size of a manta ray group varies depending on the purpose for the gathering.
Group Sizes
At cleaning stations, aggregations are typically smaller, consisting of a few individuals to maybe a dozen rays. Mature females often form stronger social bonds within these smaller groups, which are regularly observed at known sites along shallow reefs.
The largest gatherings occur during mass feeding events in areas of high nutrient concentration, such as Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives. In these nutrient-rich zones, a squadron can swell into a massive aggregation, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. These temporary mega-aggregations are directly correlated with seasonal plankton blooms.
Locations
Along the Kona coast of Hawaii, the concentration of rays is so reliable that specific locations have been named, like Manta Village and Manta Heaven. These sites are often shallow reefs or nutrient-rich upwelling areas. They consistently attract mantas because the localized conditions support a predictable food source. These gatherings reveal a surprising social dimension to an animal often thought of as a loner.