MBARI
@mbarinews.bsky.social
An oceanographic research institute focused on advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean
The best way to spread deep-sea cheer is by sending tubeworm videos to those you hold dear. 🎁
Tubeworms like these Oasisia alvinae are abundant at hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) in the Pescadero Basin, located off the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California.
Tubeworms like these Oasisia alvinae are abundant at hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) in the Pescadero Basin, located off the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California.
December 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The best way to spread deep-sea cheer is by sending tubeworm videos to those you hold dear. 🎁
Tubeworms like these Oasisia alvinae are abundant at hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) in the Pescadero Basin, located off the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California.
Tubeworms like these Oasisia alvinae are abundant at hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) in the Pescadero Basin, located off the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California.
Serving up some zooplankton squee 🥰
Copepods like the one in this video can be found in massive numbers across the world ocean. They play an important role in ocean food webs as predators—they eat even smaller diatoms and phytoplankton—and prey for animals like jellies, fish, and filter feeders.
Copepods like the one in this video can be found in massive numbers across the world ocean. They play an important role in ocean food webs as predators—they eat even smaller diatoms and phytoplankton—and prey for animals like jellies, fish, and filter feeders.
November 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Serving up some zooplankton squee 🥰
Copepods like the one in this video can be found in massive numbers across the world ocean. They play an important role in ocean food webs as predators—they eat even smaller diatoms and phytoplankton—and prey for animals like jellies, fish, and filter feeders.
Copepods like the one in this video can be found in massive numbers across the world ocean. They play an important role in ocean food webs as predators—they eat even smaller diatoms and phytoplankton—and prey for animals like jellies, fish, and filter feeders.
Peek-a-boo with an octopus and her eggs 🙈
MBARI researchers used ROVs to study pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) mothers nesting near warm seafloor springs. Unlike other deep-sea octopuses, their eggs hatched in under two years. The extra warmth boosted metabolism of the moms and their broods.
MBARI researchers used ROVs to study pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) mothers nesting near warm seafloor springs. Unlike other deep-sea octopuses, their eggs hatched in under two years. The extra warmth boosted metabolism of the moms and their broods.
November 19, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Peek-a-boo with an octopus and her eggs 🙈
MBARI researchers used ROVs to study pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) mothers nesting near warm seafloor springs. Unlike other deep-sea octopuses, their eggs hatched in under two years. The extra warmth boosted metabolism of the moms and their broods.
MBARI researchers used ROVs to study pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) mothers nesting near warm seafloor springs. Unlike other deep-sea octopuses, their eggs hatched in under two years. The extra warmth boosted metabolism of the moms and their broods.
#MondayMood 🛫
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
#MondayMood 🛫
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
A striking white coloration makes this spiny skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) easy to spot. These active swimmers hover and glide well above the seafloor, while their relatives tend to stay close to the bottom. This species is especially common in rocky lava fields.
Spooky season royalty 👑🎃✨️
Atolla gigantea is the largest Atolla species found off the West Coast. This deep-sea crown jelly can reach a diameter of up to 15 centimeters (six inches) and is one of the most widely distributed jellyfish. The genus occurs worldwide, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
Atolla gigantea is the largest Atolla species found off the West Coast. This deep-sea crown jelly can reach a diameter of up to 15 centimeters (six inches) and is one of the most widely distributed jellyfish. The genus occurs worldwide, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
October 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Spooky season royalty 👑🎃✨️
Atolla gigantea is the largest Atolla species found off the West Coast. This deep-sea crown jelly can reach a diameter of up to 15 centimeters (six inches) and is one of the most widely distributed jellyfish. The genus occurs worldwide, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
Atolla gigantea is the largest Atolla species found off the West Coast. This deep-sea crown jelly can reach a diameter of up to 15 centimeters (six inches) and is one of the most widely distributed jellyfish. The genus occurs worldwide, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
The redhead larvacean is a deep-sea climate hero 🌊💙
These tiny animals build mucous houses to filter marine snow sinking from the waters above. When their filters clog, they abandon their homes, which sink to the seafloor packed with nutrients and large amounts of carbon: youtu.be/7swiAc8rZbk?...
These tiny animals build mucous houses to filter marine snow sinking from the waters above. When their filters clog, they abandon their homes, which sink to the seafloor packed with nutrients and large amounts of carbon: youtu.be/7swiAc8rZbk?...
October 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
The redhead larvacean is a deep-sea climate hero 🌊💙
These tiny animals build mucous houses to filter marine snow sinking from the waters above. When their filters clog, they abandon their homes, which sink to the seafloor packed with nutrients and large amounts of carbon: youtu.be/7swiAc8rZbk?...
These tiny animals build mucous houses to filter marine snow sinking from the waters above. When their filters clog, they abandon their homes, which sink to the seafloor packed with nutrients and large amounts of carbon: youtu.be/7swiAc8rZbk?...
In our newest edition of deep-sea animals that can dance better than you, we present the siphonophore samba by Apolemia rubriversa.💃
Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are colonial creatures made up of specialized segments that work together as one.
Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are colonial creatures made up of specialized segments that work together as one.
October 9, 2025 at 10:27 PM
In our newest edition of deep-sea animals that can dance better than you, we present the siphonophore samba by Apolemia rubriversa.💃
Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are colonial creatures made up of specialized segments that work together as one.
Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are colonial creatures made up of specialized segments that work together as one.
The rattail glide 💥
Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep, dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor.
Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep, dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor.
October 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The rattail glide 💥
Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep, dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor.
Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep, dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor.
Dancing with the worms—a compilation of our favorite Alciopid worm dance moves. 🕺🏽
Alciopid polychaetes have large, complex eyes with corneas, irises, lenses, and other structures that give them excellent vision. 👀
Alciopid polychaetes have large, complex eyes with corneas, irises, lenses, and other structures that give them excellent vision. 👀
September 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Dancing with the worms—a compilation of our favorite Alciopid worm dance moves. 🕺🏽
Alciopid polychaetes have large, complex eyes with corneas, irises, lenses, and other structures that give them excellent vision. 👀
Alciopid polychaetes have large, complex eyes with corneas, irises, lenses, and other structures that give them excellent vision. 👀
Can you identify this animal? 🔍️👀
Did you get a kick out of shouting “acorn worm” at your phone? If so, you might enjoy playing @fathomverse.bsky.social. This month, you can find acorn worms by playing FathomVerse and earn a special badge!
Learn more about acorn worms: www.mbari.org/animal/acorn...
Did you get a kick out of shouting “acorn worm” at your phone? If so, you might enjoy playing @fathomverse.bsky.social. This month, you can find acorn worms by playing FathomVerse and earn a special badge!
Learn more about acorn worms: www.mbari.org/animal/acorn...
September 17, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Can you identify this animal? 🔍️👀
Did you get a kick out of shouting “acorn worm” at your phone? If so, you might enjoy playing @fathomverse.bsky.social. This month, you can find acorn worms by playing FathomVerse and earn a special badge!
Learn more about acorn worms: www.mbari.org/animal/acorn...
Did you get a kick out of shouting “acorn worm” at your phone? If so, you might enjoy playing @fathomverse.bsky.social. This month, you can find acorn worms by playing FathomVerse and earn a special badge!
Learn more about acorn worms: www.mbari.org/animal/acorn...
MBARI’s technology is helping researchers document deep-sea biodiversity, and our collaborations with expert taxonomists around the world are helping to advance the discovery of life in the largest living space on Earth.
September 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
MBARI’s technology is helping researchers document deep-sea biodiversity, and our collaborations with expert taxonomists around the world are helping to advance the discovery of life in the largest living space on Earth.
Snailfishes live in a variety of ocean habitats—from shallow tide pools to deep-sea trenches. The newly described bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), observed in the depths of Monterey Canyon nearly 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) underwater, has a distinctive pink color and a bumpy texture.
September 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Snailfishes live in a variety of ocean habitats—from shallow tide pools to deep-sea trenches. The newly described bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), observed in the depths of Monterey Canyon nearly 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) underwater, has a distinctive pink color and a bumpy texture.
That moment when you spot a deep-sea cutie 😍
Deep-sea hatchetfishes cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean with light-producing organs along their bellies. This allows them to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and hide from predators lurking below.
Deep-sea hatchetfishes cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean with light-producing organs along their bellies. This allows them to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and hide from predators lurking below.
September 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
That moment when you spot a deep-sea cutie 😍
Deep-sea hatchetfishes cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean with light-producing organs along their bellies. This allows them to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and hide from predators lurking below.
Deep-sea hatchetfishes cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean with light-producing organs along their bellies. This allows them to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and hide from predators lurking below.
A neighbourly sort of coral 🪸💕
A resident of rocky environments, the mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) offers a haven for small animals seeking protection. A snailfish may hide near the umbrellas of stinging tentacles, or a shrimp might hang on to weather the storm of strong currents.
A resident of rocky environments, the mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) offers a haven for small animals seeking protection. A snailfish may hide near the umbrellas of stinging tentacles, or a shrimp might hang on to weather the storm of strong currents.
September 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A neighbourly sort of coral 🪸💕
A resident of rocky environments, the mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) offers a haven for small animals seeking protection. A snailfish may hide near the umbrellas of stinging tentacles, or a shrimp might hang on to weather the storm of strong currents.
A resident of rocky environments, the mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) offers a haven for small animals seeking protection. A snailfish may hide near the umbrellas of stinging tentacles, or a shrimp might hang on to weather the storm of strong currents.
This little piggy went to the deep sea 🐽😍
Sea pigs (Scotoplanes sp.) are one of the most commonly sighted animals on the seafloor off Monterey Bay—but plentiful hardly means boring. Unlike most sea cucumbers, sea pigs use their long, stilt-like tube feet to suspend their bodies above the soft mud.
Sea pigs (Scotoplanes sp.) are one of the most commonly sighted animals on the seafloor off Monterey Bay—but plentiful hardly means boring. Unlike most sea cucumbers, sea pigs use their long, stilt-like tube feet to suspend their bodies above the soft mud.
August 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
This little piggy went to the deep sea 🐽😍
Sea pigs (Scotoplanes sp.) are one of the most commonly sighted animals on the seafloor off Monterey Bay—but plentiful hardly means boring. Unlike most sea cucumbers, sea pigs use their long, stilt-like tube feet to suspend their bodies above the soft mud.
Sea pigs (Scotoplanes sp.) are one of the most commonly sighted animals on the seafloor off Monterey Bay—but plentiful hardly means boring. Unlike most sea cucumbers, sea pigs use their long, stilt-like tube feet to suspend their bodies above the soft mud.
Meet your new favorite anglerfish—the flowery goosefish (Lophiodes miacanthus). 🎣🩵
This anglerfish belongs to the family Lophiidae, also known as the goosefishes. This group of alluring anglers uses their speckled coloration to blend into the sandy seafloor on the continental shelf.
This anglerfish belongs to the family Lophiidae, also known as the goosefishes. This group of alluring anglers uses their speckled coloration to blend into the sandy seafloor on the continental shelf.
August 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Meet your new favorite anglerfish—the flowery goosefish (Lophiodes miacanthus). 🎣🩵
This anglerfish belongs to the family Lophiidae, also known as the goosefishes. This group of alluring anglers uses their speckled coloration to blend into the sandy seafloor on the continental shelf.
This anglerfish belongs to the family Lophiidae, also known as the goosefishes. This group of alluring anglers uses their speckled coloration to blend into the sandy seafloor on the continental shelf.