A key component of the efficiency of ventilation and water treatment systems is the performance of filters. In this talk, we will explore novel strategies for filtration inspired by the manta ray which has evolved an unusual system for filtering zooplankton. Rather than adopting a sieving strategy, the manta deploys microstructures which are hypothesized to instigate eddies that push particles away from the filtration pores, resisting clogging, and enabling the filtration of particles much smaller than the pore size. To explore this mechanism we will examine a “leaky pipe” toy problem that mimics the filtration strategies employed by manta rays. Combining theory, physical experiments, and simulations, we explore the tradeoffs between permeability and particle selectivity across the three regimes. Finally, we conclude by demonstrating that manta filters strike an elegant balance between permeability and selectivity, which enables mobula rays to simultaneously satisfy biological requirements for breathing and filter feeding.