Devilfish
Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology
name applied to the manta ray and to an American species of octopus.
Of the "devilfish", oil rigs and WWF
Scientific Name: Eschrichtius robustus ...
Yellow devilfish, Assessor flavissimus Allen & Kuiter, 1976.
Blue devilfish, Assessor macneilli Whitley, 1935.
Assessor randalli Allen & Kuiter, 1976.
Genus Beliops Hardy, 1985 ...
Assessor flavissimus, Yellow Devilfish
Asterias forbesi, Common Sea Star
Atlantoraja cyclophora, Eyespot Skate
Aulostomus chinensis, Chinese Trumpetfish
Austrorossia antillensis, Antilles Bobtail Squid
Bairdiella chrysoura, Silver Croaker ...
Your teacher was probably refering to the Atlantic manta (Manta birostris), which is also called the Devilfish. It is seen off the coast of Florida, and can range up to New England, although it prefers warmer waters.
Whalers used to call them "devilfish" because of their fierce defense they put up when hunted. They have a layer of blubber up to 10 inches (25 cm) thick. There are hairy bristles (vibrassae) on the gray whale's snout and the front of the head.
Early whalers called the gray whale the devilfish because females strongly defended their young against all enemies, including orcas, sharks, and humans.
Text: Linda West in consultation with Dr. Thomas Deméré
Photographs by Jon Rebman ...
Mantas have a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devilfish, and just manta. At one time it was thought that there were many species of manta.
Mantas have been given a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devil ray, devilfish, and just manta. Some people just call all members of the family stingrays.
 See also: Shark, Whale, Ray, Manta, Eagle
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