Mainly encountered singly or in small groups. Their favorite prey are shelled mollusks, which they crack open between two flat dental plates consisting of interlocked rows of crushing teeth. The huge Manta ray is a filter feeder, like the whale shark. It feeds on plankton and small fish. The prey is guided into the enormous mouth by a fleshy lobe on each side of the head.
Manta rays feed close to the surface, where plankton tends to accumulate.
In the process, the rays execute somersaults and even break the surface. They can sometimes be observed jumping high out of the water. What may appear to be playing is usually a form of dominant behavior, or an attempt to shed dermal parasites. Manta rays are viviparous and usually give birth to two young after a gestation period of thirteen months. The species lives on sand or coral rubble down to 50 m, and is sometimes seen in extremely shallow water.