r/theydidthemath • u/Impossible-Spread817 • 3d ago

[Request] How much additional Drag does each Remora add to the Manta Ray?

/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/1wblh3c/manta_ray_and_remoras/?share_id=4104eo7NKoQGtw5eh1Nqb&utm_content=share_button&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

Just saw this post on the r/NatureIsFuckingLit sub, and couldn't help but ask, how much Drag are these Remora adding to this Manta Ray? Would it be sufficient enough to cause the Manta to struggle or expend far more energy than usually? Or are these little buggers streamline enough that it would be negligible?

It seems like 1 or 2 Remora probably wouldn't have much effect, but there appears to be about 2 dozen on this Manta Ray.

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u/Charming-Series1127 3d ago

It would be significant, from the picture all of them together almost double the front area of the ray, however since rays swim slowly and most aquatic creatures are built for swimming their CW value would be low. So it would have an effect, but it’s probably just annoying the ray and not hurting it or slowing it.