The baby girl born to ID # 10 at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium late Saturday night is believed to be the first giant manta ray ever born in captivity. Her birth was recorded by the aquarium and broadcast by national broadcaster NHK throughout Japan Sunday morning. Her mother ID # 10 was brought to the aquarium in August 1998 after hitting a fishing net off the island of Okinawa and had mated with her partner, ID # 6 374 days before. He has been at the aquarium since May 1992.
Very little is known about the life of manta rays and according to Aquarium official Minoru Toda, the records from this pregnancy and birth will add valuable data to the understanding of this species. Manta rays are the largest species of ray and although they eat only small fish larvae and plankton, they are known to grow up to 25 ft wide across their fin tips and up to 6,600 lbs. They are found throughout the tropical seas and most commonly near coral reefs where they can find their favorite foods.
Their size and distinctive "horns" around their mouth have led them to be called the "devil fish" by some. Those horns actually help in guiding the food into their mouths in what is known as ram-jet feeding. Their grace in the water though has made them a prized sighting for many divers as they slowly fly through the water around them.
"We have unfolded some of the mysteries about the life of manta rays, including the length of their pregnancy. Now we have to make sure the baby grows in good health," Toda said.The successful birth of such a fish rarely kept in capitivity because of it's large size is certainly something to celebrate. I think though, with a 374 day long pregnancy, it may be a long while before we see another one, if the "moms" have any say in the matter.
Update: Sadly, after moving her to the sea pen for feedings, the one in this video, she was found dead June 21 2007.
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