Akari Ray

Akari Ray was identified on March 30, 2014 by Ron Jourden just north of Manta Heaven. She was a pup and approximately 4-5 feet wide but she has now matured to 8-9 feet wing tip to wing tip.

SPECIES

Mobula Alfredi (reef)

GENDER

Female

WINGSPAN

8-9 feet

MARKINGS

Seahorse + "X" + 5 dots

IDENTIFIED BY

Ron Jourden

IDENTIFICATION DATE

03/30/2014

Akari Ray'S MARKINGS

One of Akari Ray's markings resembles a seahorse, plus a big "X" and 5x smaller dots.

How was Akari Ray Named?

She is named after Ron’s daughter “Akari” who lives in Japan.

Have you met Akari Ray? Share your story!

10 Comments

Megan on May 22, 2024 at 1:49 pm

Akari and I became quite well acquainted during my two night dives at Manta Heaven 5/18/24 and 5/19/24. She rubbed against the top of my head 5 times, despite my laying flat against the ground and trying not to be in her way. But she kept flying in from behind me and rubbing her belly across my head. She also did quite the acrobatics directly in front of me over and over. I initially recognized her both nights because she had some rough red scuff marks along her underside and one cephalic fin… almost looked like she’d dragged herself against the sea floor. Which also makes me wonder if she’s been a bit clumsy since she kept running into me too. I had to look at my video footage to check the markings and find her here. Thank you for making it easy!
Was so happy to have met her, and feel honored she chose to brush against me. Hopefully I see her again on my next night dive!
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- Martina Wing on May 23, 2024 at 2:55 pm
  
  Mahalo Nui Loa for sharing this beautiful encounter. Manta Lovers unite 🤩🤩
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- Hollie on August 6, 2024 at 12:40 am
  
  we met July 4th. so, you’re out there on a tour, hoping to see one. Akari showed up. she bumped my belly. she hit me. what a cool Ray.she made the night. I worry about her,, she bumped me…very cool ray I was afraid to get in the ocean after dark…she worries me because brushing up against people..it can’t be good for her. I was worried about her…super cool experience
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Hollie on July 8, 2024 at 4:15 am

I was completely nervous to be in the water at night. We went July 4th, our anniversary. Akari did a drive by, then she did multiple barrel rolls with another, identified as Laufferty by our crew on board. She loves to get right by you. She bumped my stomach…such a once in a lifetime experience…she’s beautiful…I sucked my gut in, she loves to get very close
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- Martina Wing on July 9, 2024 at 11:03 am
  
  Fantastic News! Thanks for sharing 😀🤩
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Hollie on July 8, 2024 at 4:24 am

my husband also went out for a nighttime campfire dive, and she is there. I am super stoked to have met her. we have video, other rays, willing to share. not the best quality, but you can identify though..happy too share…other rays there
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- Martina Wing on July 9, 2024 at 11:04 am
  
  More great news 🤩🤩
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  - Hollie on August 6, 2024 at 12:50 am
    
    hands down, she’s awesome
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  - Hollie on August 6, 2024 at 12:56 am
    
    she impacted me also she really loves interacting. and saw the scuffs also …she’s pretty awesome.
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Hollie on August 6, 2024 at 1:04 am

she impacted me also she really loves interacting. and saw the scuffs also …she’s pretty awesome. so, elephant in the room is the ray named Blaine…oye way. so, my husband’s former coworker was privileged enough to name Cherry. a whale shark off of oahu. cherry is because cherry on top of anything you would possibly think you’ll see. Goggle.
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