Species: Mobula thurstoni, Bentfin Devil Ray, Smoothtail Mobula, Smoothtail Mobula Ray

Mobula thurstoni (Lloyd, 1908)

Smoothtail Mobula, Bentfin Devil Ray, Smoothtail Mobula Ray

Head projecting relatively short, with pair of short horn-like extensions; large triangular "wings" (pectoral fin flaps) with a double bend to front margin; front edge of margin of pectoral fin curves up and over circular spiracle; mouth on underside of head; teeth in bands in both jaws, forming low, pavement-like mosaic; filter plates in gills with 15-20 side lobes, last lobe leaf shaped, separate at tips; tail long (=/> disc width in adults), with its base flattened, without spine; pelvic fins long, extend past pectorals; upper surface of body with scattered denticles.

Dark blue to black on upper surface, with a broad black band between eyes (only in live fish); inside mouth pale; white of underside reaches up behind but not above eye; dorsal fin with white tip; underside white, becoming silvery brown towards pectoral tips and rear edge; underside of concave part of front wing edge with dark blotch.

Grows to at least 180 cm disc width and 54 Kg; size at birth 65-85 cm disc width.

Habitat: pelagic in coastal waters. Often forms huge schools containing several hundred individuals.

Depth: 0 to 100 m.

Circumglobal; southeast corner of the Caribbean to Brazil.