Is this the most beautiful fish?

The giant manta ray is an endangered species.

This beautiful fish is on the Red List of threatened species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As of 10 December, there are now 128,918 species on the IUCN Red List, of which 35,765 are threatened with extinction. These are extraordinary and frightening numbers. Their latest newsletter lists 31 species now declared extinct. They include the Lost Shark and three Central American frog species.

The giant manta ray has a wingspan of up to 29 feet, which is bigger than any bird. Although only half the size of a Quetzalcoatlus. The largest population is in Ecuador, particularly in marine reserves. Global populations are declining, partly due to the Chinese belief that the gills have medicinal benefits. Also due to the fact that they give birth to one pup only every two or three years. According to oceana.org:

"Mantas have huge brains — the biggest of any fish — with especially developed areas for learning, problem solving and communicating. The giant rays are playful, curious and might even recognize themselves in mirrors, a sign of self-awareness [Only a few species, including great apes and bottlenose dolphins, can recognize their own reflections, rather than attacking or ignoring a mirror]. A manta’s brain can be ten times larger than a whale shark’s. Not only is the brain physically big, it’s also large relative to the ray’s body. That’s another sign of super smartness, true of elephants, dolphins and people too."

If you want to know where you can see one of these magnificent fish in an aquarium, mantarayadvocates.com tells us:

"We know of four places around the globe that have mantas in huge aquariums:

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA, USA

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island Bahamas

S.E.A Aquarium in Singapore"

When Covid-19 is done, I'll be off!