Trying to identify type of ray seen in Puerto Vallarta?

ravenmore · 02/07/2006, 11:35 AM

Sorry - not sure this is the right forum or not but I thought this would be a good place to start. Mods feel free to move this as to where you think is most appropriate.

I was in Puerto Vallarta last weekend. Since I have a tank I was paying particularly close attention to the wildlife in the water. There were these rays all over the place. They looked like Manta Rays only much smaller (we saw several Mantas, including a truely HUGE specimen, on a boat ride across the bay). These smaller rays swam in the water column and surf(not on the bottom), were about 2 feet wide, sandy brown mostly, and seemed to be fond of scaring the crap out of tourist by swimming in and around their legs (including mine). I heard one woman say her husband was "stung" by one, which would mean they have the ability to sting, which -I think- means they're not something like a juvinile Manta.

I'm curious about 'em. Anyone know what they are?

xxxbadfishxxx · 02/07/2006, 12:19 PM

i dont know what they are, but i was looking into going to Puerto Vallarta on my next vacation, i got mixed reviews on the clairty of the water, how do you feel about snorkeling there? Was it expensive?

Thanks,

Jeff

flowergirl · 02/07/2006, 12:34 PM

i'm headed there for march break and was told about the rays. i to was wondering what type they were. i hope to see them!

ravenmore · 02/07/2006, 02:53 PM

I actually didn't get to snorkel. I was there for a wedding as a groomsman and my time was pretty broken up. I did some boogie boarding and mainly watched what was in the water around me.

These small rays were pretty common - especially in the morning. They pretty much don't seem to have a fear of people. I had several swim right up to me, which sometimes is a little weird in the chopped up water in the surf. You can't see 'em but can feel them brushing against your legs.

The water visibility wasn't bad. I've heard its best in the winter - right about now actually. During the spring months apparently snow runoff from the mountains clouds the water some.

The true manta's out in the bay are magnificent to see. Most of the ones we saw were in the 8 to 12 foot range, but we came across one that was MONSTEROUS. Easily as wide or wider than the party boat we were on. Definitely 20+ feet, perhaps even 25+. The little reading I did on them since I've been back indicated thats unusually large. Its a little mind boggling - you simply don't register you're looking at something that big for a second or two. I have one or two kinda blurry pics I can post later if you guys want. It was hard to photograph with the reflections on the water and with the boat moving one way and them another.....

ravenmore · 02/07/2006, 02:58 PM

as far as being expensive - I stayed on an all inclusive resort called "Dreams"(great views - and the hotel filters the water in it. Great service). Most of the expense is getting down there and then the hotel. After that you spend very little. I spent less than $100 out of pocket for the 4 days I was there. Also check out Las Coletas (sp?) while you're there. I've heard thats a nice place to stay too. Very remote - only accesible by boat. It used to be John Houston's private residence that they've since turned into a resort. Its where the wedding I was in took place. I've heard the fishing and diving around there is particularly good.

LOTUS50GOD · 02/07/2006, 03:01 PM

is it a cortez ray.... google it for an image.

epicentyr · 02/07/2006, 04:10 PM

Try a Bat ray. Maybe.

ravenmore · 02/07/2006, 04:28 PM

Here's a couple pics of the mantas. Sorry they're not better. They were a little hard to photograph to begin with, plus I was about 3 or 4 margaritas in by this point...

a couple beach views - one from my hotel room and the sunset is from the beach in front of it.

02/07/2006, 11:35 AM	#1
ravenmore Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,590	Trying to identify type of ray seen in Puerto Vallarta? Sorry - not sure this is the right forum or not but I thought this would be a good place to start. Mods feel free to move this as to where you think is most appropriate. I was in Puerto Vallarta last weekend. Since I have a tank I was paying particularly close attention to the wildlife in the water. There were these rays all over the place. They looked like Manta Rays only much smaller (we saw several Mantas, including a truely HUGE specimen, on a boat ride across the bay). These smaller rays swam in the water column and surf(not on the bottom), were about 2 feet wide, sandy brown mostly, and seemed to be fond of scaring the crap out of tourist by swimming in and around their legs (including mine). I heard one woman say her husband was "stung" by one, which would mean they have the ability to sting, which -I think- means they're not something like a juvinile Manta. I'm curious about 'em. Anyone know what they are? __________________ Mean people are like slinkys. They're really not worth much but still are entertaining to watch tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef tank in progress

02/07/2006, 02:53 PM	#4
ravenmore Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,590	I actually didn't get to snorkel. I was there for a wedding as a groomsman and my time was pretty broken up. I did some boogie boarding and mainly watched what was in the water around me. These small rays were pretty common - especially in the morning. They pretty much don't seem to have a fear of people. I had several swim right up to me, which sometimes is a little weird in the chopped up water in the surf. You can't see 'em but can feel them brushing against your legs. The water visibility wasn't bad. I've heard its best in the winter - right about now actually. During the spring months apparently snow runoff from the mountains clouds the water some. The true manta's out in the bay are magnificent to see. Most of the ones we saw were in the 8 to 12 foot range, but we came across one that was MONSTEROUS. Easily as wide or wider than the party boat we were on. Definitely 20+ feet, perhaps even 25+. The little reading I did on them since I've been back indicated thats unusually large. Its a little mind boggling - you simply don't register you're looking at something that big for a second or two. I have one or two kinda blurry pics I can post later if you guys want. It was hard to photograph with the reflections on the water and with the boat moving one way and them another..... __________________ Mean people are like slinkys. They're really not worth much but still are entertaining to watch tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef tank in progress

02/07/2006, 02:58 PM	#5
ravenmore Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,590	as far as being expensive - I stayed on an all inclusive resort called "Dreams"(great views - and the hotel filters the water in it. Great service). Most of the expense is getting down there and then the hotel. After that you spend very little. I spent less than $100 out of pocket for the 4 days I was there. Also check out Las Coletas (sp?) while you're there. I've heard thats a nice place to stay too. Very remote - only accesible by boat. It used to be John Houston's private residence that they've since turned into a resort. Its where the wedding I was in took place. I've heard the fishing and diving around there is particularly good. __________________ Mean people are like slinkys. They're really not worth much but still are entertaining to watch tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef tank in progress

02/07/2006, 03:01 PM	#6
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	is it a cortez ray.... google it for an image. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

02/07/2006, 04:28 PM	#8
ravenmore Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin TX Posts: 1,590	Here's a couple pics of the mantas. Sorry they're not better. They were a little hard to photograph to begin with, plus I was about 3 or 4 margaritas in by this point... a couple beach views - one from my hotel room and the sunset is from the beach in front of it. __________________ Mean people are like slinkys. They're really not worth much but still are entertaining to watch tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef tank in progress

02/07/2006, 12:19 PM	#2
xxxbadfishxxx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 1,585	i dont know what they are, but i was looking into going to Puerto Vallarta on my next vacation, i got mixed reviews on the clairty of the water, how do you feel about snorkeling there? Was it expensive? Thanks, Jeff

02/07/2006, 12:34 PM	#3
flowergirl Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Barrie Ontario, canada Posts: 238	i'm headed there for march break and was told about the rays. i to was wondering what type they were. i hope to see them!

02/07/2006, 04:10 PM	#7
epicentyr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 310	Try a Bat ray. Maybe.