Mating Behavior of the Manta Ray was observed in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has been succeeding in keeping the Manta Ray for the first case in the world since November, 1988.
On June 8, 2006, finally we observed the mating behavior (Manta birostris) and copulation, and video recorded such activities for 5 minutes.

*Date and time
Copulation from 19:10 to 19:15 on Thursday, June 8, 2006

*Place
Kuroshio tank of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

*Male ID
No. 6, about 3.5m in width, (kept since May, 1992)

*Female ID
No. 10, about 4.2m in width, （kept since August, 1998）

This is not only a celebration for the first case in the world, but also a splendid achievement to clarify the activities and biology (including sexual mature sizes) of Manta Rays, which is still cloaked in mystery. In addition, if they succeeded in fertilization, we can look forward to welcoming the new birth next year!

[Biology of Manta Rays]
The largest species among rays, and distributed in warm-tropic oceans world wide. Grow up to7.5m in width by eating only planktons.
[About Breeding]
Manta Rays bear babies (known as vivipary), not eggs. At a birth, they are thought to have 1 or 2 babies, which are about 1.1 to 1.3m in body width.