Manta rays primarily feed on plankton, which includes tiny plants and animals floating in the water. They have evolved a filtering system to consume their food. Manta rays open their large mouths to collect massive amounts of water, then close them, forcing water through their specialized gill filters. As the water is expelled, the plankton gets trapped, allowing the manta rays to swallow it. While plankton forms the main part of their diet, manta rays may also consume small fish and crustaceans occasionally as they swim close to the ocean surface. Overall, manta rays have adapted to be efficient filter feeders to meet their nutritional needs.