The manta ray is the largest species of the rays

Batoidea

Batoidea is a superorder of cartilaginous fish commonly known as rays and skates, containing more than 500 described species in thirteen families...

. The largest known specimen was more than 7.6 metres (24.9 ft) across, with a weight of about 1300 kilograms (2,866 lb). It ranges throughout waters of the world, typically around coral reefs. They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii

Elasmobranchii

Elasmobranchii is a subclass of Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fish, that includes the sharks and the rays and skates .-Evolution:...

), a brain which is kept warm during lengthy dives to as deep as 500 metres in cold water.

Mantas have a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devilfish, and just manta.