Pūpūkea is an important feeding area for one ray species.

Between 2021–2024, 217 sightings were confirmed in the area during summer (O‘ahu Manta Project unpubl. data 2024), comprising 59.3% of all Reef Manta Ray sightings around O‘ahu during this period (n = 366). Sea conditions prevent in-water surveys during the winter months. Reef Manta Rays were encountered on 32.1% of surveys (34/106 surveys per year). Sightings comprised between 1–4 individuals, with an average of two Reef Manta Rays observed together at a time. Reef Manta Rays were observed surface feeding or feeding along the reef ridges in 6–11 m depth during 99.5% of observations (only one sighting of a non-feeding individual). The rays are observed swimming with mouth open through visibly dense zooplankton patches (C Nevels pers. obs. 2024). They circle back to feed along specific reef ridges where zooplankton is concentrated and will often somersault feed through dense patches.

Despite dedicated survey effort and a relatively high number of resightings of Reef Manta Rays in the area, only 12 individuals have been identified in the area via photo identification (O‘ahu Manta Project unpubl. data 2024). This highlights the site fidelity of these individuals to the area and the relatively small population resident to O‘ahu. Using photographic identification on images of Reef Manta Rays, only 96 individuals have been identified around the island of O‘ahu since 2004. No records of inter-island connectivity have been documented, despite collaboration between manta ray research projects using genetics and photo identification techniques (Deakos et al. 2011, Whitney et al. 2023, C Nevels pers. obs. 2024). Of the 12 individuals identified in the area, 11 of them were confirmed as juvenile, suggesting there is some degree of habitat segregation between age classes, however, more information is needed to confirm whether this area is also important for reproduction.