close
5 Types of Rays in the Pacific Ocean

5 Types of Rays in the Pacific Ocean

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
|
Published on August 3, 2013

The Pacific Ocean is home to many weird and wonderful types of marine life. Perhaps some of the most interesting creatures in the ocean are the rays. The many types of rays glide through the water using their wide bodies, which look almost like a pair of wings. They inhabit both shallow, coastal waters, as well as deeper areas in the Pacific.

Types of Rays

Manta Ray

Manta rays, one of the most well known types of rays, live in the Pacific Ocean. These creatures are the largest of the ray species, as well as some of the largest fish in any of the oceans. They can grow to between 18 and 23 feet across, and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. They prefer warm, tropical to sub-tropical waters.

Spotted Eagle Ray

Another type of Pacific Ocean ray is the spotted eagle ray. These rays are found in coastal waters around the world, including many areas, such as the western United States coast, in the Pacific. Spotted eagle rays, which can grow up to 10 feet across, are usually a dark gray, blue or black, with bright white spots across their bodies.

Stingray

One Of The Many Types Of Rays Swimming Around Underwater
photo by davidclode via Unsplash

Stingrays are another type of ray found in the Pacific Ocean. Sixgill stingrays are particularly common, especially near Japan and Taiwan, and as far into the Pacific as Hawaii. This species, which prefers to live in deeper waters, is actually longer than it is wide, unlike many ray species, and has a long, sharp snout. Like its name suggests, the sixgill stingray has one to two stinging spines on its tail.

Pygmy Devil Ray

Pygmy devil rays are found in the Pacific Ocean, especially around Vietnam and the Philippines. These rays grow to only about 40 inches across, a much smaller size than most devil rays. They mainly eat plankton, but may occasionally eat small fish.

Bat Ray

The bat ray is a ray commonly found off the coast of California. These rays, which grow to about 6 feet across, have wide, rounded heads, which give them a distinctive look. They prefer to live in relatively shallow waters, including kelp beds, where they can hunt for crustaceans and small fish.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro