Spinetail Devil Ray

About the Spinetail Devil Ray

The devil fish, giant devil ray, or simply the devil ray (Mobula mobular) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. As of 2025, it is listed as critically endangered, mostly due to bycatch mortality in unrelated fisheries and a naturally slow reproduction rate.

The devil fish is larger than its close relative the lesser devil ray. It grows to a disk length of 3.5 metres (11 ft), making it one of the largest rays. It possesses a spiny tail. The devil fish is the third largest species in the genus Mobula, after the oceanic and reef manta rays. It is the only mobulid species that lives in the Mediterranean Sea. The species has been observed to have a maximum recorded length of disk width of 5.2 meters (roughly 17 feet). However, those data are unreliable and are allegedly misunderstood as giant oceanic manta rays that have strayed into the Mediterranean. It is also considered to be the only devil fish with a tail spine.

The devil fish is most common in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, off the southwest coast of Ireland and south of Portugal, as well as in the central and western Pacific Ocean. In... Wikipedia →