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Schmidt Ocean Institute

@schmidtocean.bsky.social
4.2K followers 69 following 352 posts

Boldly exploring our unknown Ocean

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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 16/10/2026
Sometimes the best home is . . . another animal! Corals and taller animals extend up into the water column where the food is, so they make great lodging. A tiny crustacean that lives in the upper branches of a coral has access to a steady stream of nutritious marine snow. #SamplingGap
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
In the midwater, between about 200 & 1000m, hunting comes naturally for animals that live in these dark waters. This comb jelly possesses long filaments w/ sticky cells called colloblasts that extend out into the edgeless realm, allowing them to ensnare unsuspecting snacks. #SamplingGap, 275 m
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
🦑 Meet Planctoteuthis sp.! 🦑 According to #SamplingGap Co-chief sci Dr. Perez: “Images have finally enabled the description of this tail, but no one knows what it is used for. It looks like a siphonophore from a distance, and one hypothesis is that it could be used for siphonophore mimicry.”
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Join us on 28 Sept. for a rich discussion about seamount ecology, what scientists have learned so far, and what remains to be understood about underwater mountains in our Ocean. Register: schmidtocean-org.zoom.us/webinar/re…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Join us on 28 Sept. for a rich discussion about seamount ecology, what scientists have learned so far, and what remains to be understood about underwater mountains in our Ocean. Register: schmidtocean-org.zoom.us/webinar/re…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Siphonophore — the grizzly bear of squishy things. ROV pilots recorded this footage at 1589 meters during the 2025 #AsgardArchaea expedition in the deep waters of Uruguay. (Sound on to learn more.)
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The one where a crab tries very hard not to be seen. 🦀 This school of fish was observed not observing a crab crawling along the seafloor at 205 meters. The #URUGUAYSUB200 science team was exploring near the head of the La Paloma submarine canyon along the edge of the Uruguayan continental shelf.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A newly discovered deep-sea coral solves 100-year-old mystery! Meet Paragorgia quitinosa, a bubblegum coral that can grow taller than a 2-story building — w/NO internal skeleton. Scientists have wondered for over a century: how? The answer: chitin. Read the paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Fishy Friday: Bathypterois sp., a tripod fish. Solitary and stationary, these deep-sea denizens perch above the seafloor using specialized fin rays and face into the current. When an unsuspecting copepod or other tiny crustacean drifts by, this animal is set to snack. #Doldrums, 2,040 meters
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Squid vibes: #DeepWonders science team encountered this cutie at 1,045 m. They marveled at the specialized cells in their skin, chromatophores — these tiny sacs that contain pigment. As a squid relaxes & contracts its muscles, it reveals or hides pigment for camouflage or communication.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#DeepWonders science team, led by @divaamon.bsky.social located 25 cold seep ecosystems and discovered 20 suspected new species. They also encountered abandoned fishing gear and trash — an important reminder that humans have an impact in places they’ve never seen or visited before.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This chimaera is ready for their close-up. The runway is ready, and this deep-sea beauty is cleared for takeoff. Nothing screams confidence like slowing down for a large robot and letting ROV pilots zoom right in for a visual inspection. #DeepWonders of Trinidad & Tobago, 1,246 m
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A midweek montage from the July 2026 #DeepWonders expedition to Trinidad & Tobago w/ @divaamon.bsky.social. The team located over 25 active cold seeps, discovered 20 suspected new species, and mapped approximately 13% of the country’s marine territory.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Backward-swimming Bathyopsurus — a rare deep-sea isopod that lives between 4,000 and 11,000 m. They use two pairs of enlarged, paddle-like legs to swim; scientists have observed the animal moving backward and even upside down. #DeepWonders, Trinidad & Tobago, 3,923 m
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A chemosynthetic ecosystem — cold seeps fueling life here at 1,655 meters was discovered by the #DeepWonders science team, led by @divaamon.bsky.social, in Trinidad & Tobago. Read more about how they found it in the caption: youtube.com/shorts/waLnV...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The month-long #DeepWonders expedition, led by @divaamon.bsky.social, documented rare ecosystems and awe-inspiring wildlife in the deep waters of Trinidad & Tobago; their work will inform future ocean stewardship in the Caribbean & beyond. Read more about this seafloor scene: bit.ly/3Szw2ap
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
This is a false catshark, Pseudotriakis microdon, named for catlike eyes. A bit soft around the middle — some might even say these ground sharks are flabby — and they move rather slowly, which led to another common name: “sofa shark.” #DeepWonders, 1,086 m
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Allyuh look ting! 🇹🇹 Dr. Diva Amon and a team of primarily Trinbagonian scientists explored the deep waters of Trinidad & Tobago, providing 1st holistic & systematic look at the territory. #DeepWonders will inform future ocean stewardship in the region & beyond.
Top-down view of a bright red deep-sea shrimp with long antennae resting on a smooth, sandy seabed.Two researchers present hand-decorated paper cups featuring marine-themed drawings to a camera mounted on a tablet; the cups help demonstrate the pressure at various depths in the deep Ocean.A smiling woman watches a colleague in a lab coat prepare a specimen over a container inside a shipboard laboratory.A large, mottled brown goosefish with modified fin feet resting on the sandy ocean floor.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Enypniastes eximia, a deep-sea sea cucumber recorded at 1095 m during #DeepWonders expedition. We see how this graceful gelatinous gem earned the nickname Spanish dancer. Look how their tubefeet glide across the seafloor, scooping up nutritious marine snow as the animal swoops up into the water.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
These echinoderms are related to sea stars, urchins, and sand dollars. Some, called sea lilies, live on stems attached to the seafloor, while others can move about (and are called feather stars like this one). Recorded at 1,092 m during the #DeepWonders expedition led by @divaamon.bsky.social
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
The #DeepWonders science team was thrilled to happen upon these animals thriving 1,143 meters beneath the ocean surface. In the deep sea, a single coral colony can support a small ecosystem, hosting squat lobsters, deep-sea spiders, and more!
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Opisthoteuthis, or flapjack, a genus of cirrate octopuses observed at 1,040 meters during the #DeepWonders expedition with @divaamon.bsky.social. Using their umbrella-like body shape, they coast through the water. Their fins help guide their way (despite looking like large floppy ears).
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Black swallower fish — swell dining in the deep! During a recent ROV dive near Trinidad & Tobago, the #DeepWonders science team — led by @divaamon.bsky.social — collected spectacular footage of a black swallower fish (Chiasmodon sp.) at a depth of 1259 meters.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
In the deep sea, you can’t actually see red. Read more about this red-iculous squid sighting at 762 m from #DeepWonders expedition with @divaamon.bsky.social & a team of Trinbagonian scientists here: youtube.com/shorts/KSe7z...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The #DeepWonders team, led by @divaamon.bsky.social, encountered this curious grenadier fr the genus Coryphaenoides at 1,900m — 2.3 times as deep as the height of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Also known as rattails, most are smaller; this individual was nearly 1m long.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
The #DeepWonders science team, led by @divaamon.bsky.social, of SpeSeas, is seeing many sea cucumbers, including these rhythmic water dancers that could be Benthothuria sp. They are part of the deep-sea cleanup crew, ingesting decaying detritus and pooping clean sand along the seafloor.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The #DeepWonders science team filmed this chimaera or ghost shark at 1,027 m. @divaamon.bsky.social and a primarily Trinbagonian team of scientists are leading this expedition in Trinidad & Tobago. (Read #PoetryInOcean version here: www.instagram.com/reel/DalKGJZ...)
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
A sea urchin fr the genus Phormosoma, recorded at 2,011 m (or 5x around a running track if watching this little guy makes you feel the need for speed!) According to @echinoblog.bsky.social this urchin speed-walks along the sea bottom with spines that are modified with little "shoes." #Doldrums
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
🚨Not one, but two Magnapinna squid! 🚨 the #doldrums team observed 2 elusive Magnapinna sp., commonly known as bigfin squid, at approximately 4,300 m (about 2.7 miles). Magnapinna is the deepest-dwelling squid. Sightings of these animals are extremely rare — seeing two in one dive is extra exciting!
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🐙 Say hello to Inopinoteuthis magna — the big-eyed jellyhead. 🐙 And yes, that common name does makes us suspect someone’s kiddo was in the lab that day! (Special thanks to @jeffday.bsky.social for sharing this species ID when we posted a different view of the animal.) #Doldrums 2,923 m
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
This is a deep-sea isopod. Dr. Johanna Weston, a deep-ocean biologist and guest investigator at @whoi.edu, is confident this is Bathyopsurus nybelini, one of her favorite animals. Learn why via the YouTube caption: youtube.com/shorts/DenUj...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Join us for a Schmidt Ocean Institute Back Ashore discussion, where we hear from scientists following expeditions on R/V Falkor and Falkor (too) to learn where the science has taken them. Register here: schmidtocean-org.zoom.us/webinar/re…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Join us for a Schmidt Ocean Institute Back Ashore discussion, where we hear from scientists following expeditions on R/V Falkor and Falkor (too) to learn where the science has taken them. Register here: schmidtocean-org.zoom.us/webinar/re…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Join us for a Schmidt Ocean Institute Back Ashore discussion, where we hear from scientists following expeditions on R/V Falkor and Falkor (too) to learn where the science has taken them. Register here: schmidtocean-org.zoom.us/webinar/re…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
🌊 Ocean job alert! 🌊 We're hiring a Science Systems Specialist to support cruise planning on R/V Falkor (too) and management of the maritime instrumentation and scientific equipment. Learn more & apply! jobs.lever.co/schmidt-entities/ccec…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
22 May is National Maritime Day in the US. While R/V Falkor (too) works around the world, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to celebrate & cheer for the people who make science, exploration & discovery at sea possible: the talented Falkor (too) crew. Fair winds & following seas, friends! 🌊
A collage depicting a ship's crew at work, featuring people in various roles such as engineering, piloting, and analyzing data. The mood is focused and collaborative.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Congratulations to @divaamon.bsky.social, Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, & all the winners from the 7 May Peter Benchley Ocean Awards — “the Oscars for the Ocean” — at @montereybayaquarium.org 📷 Peter Benchley Ocean Awards www.peterbenchleyoceanawards.org/20…
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A new species of siphonophore, recorded at 897 m during the #DesigningtheFuture3 expedition. ROV pilots were able to carefully zoom in on this animal’s nectophores, or swimming bells — these are the group of medusae responsible for propulsion. (Read more: www.instagram.com/reel/DYiP_eB...)
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
You can read more about this graceful gossamer worm, filmed during #designingthefutute3, and why this animal is Chief Scientist Karen Osborn's favorite via the caption on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/shorts/knSxX...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
On Friday, 8 May, Schmidt Ocean Institute Science Program Senior Manager Leonard Pace spoke at the AI + Expo, hosted by Special Competitive Studies Project, a nonprofit led by Eric Schmidt and Ylli Bajraktari. Pace spoke about the use of AI in ocean exploration.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Here's the full caption:
Text about a 5mm Lophothrix copepod and its ecological significance. Highlights Dr. David Fields’ research at Bigelow Lab and #DesigningTheFuture3 expedition by Schmidt Ocean Institute.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Tiny copepods: Big impact! This is likely a Lophothrix, a ~5 mm copepod. For 30 years, Dr. David Fields (@bigelowlab.bsky.social) says copepods are ubiquitous throughout the ocean; they've adapted to live in many different environments — from mangrove trees to the Antarctic seafloor.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
www.deepoceanobserving.org/pages/20… Executive Director of @schmidtOcean Dr. Jyotika Virmani will be on the panel entitled: The Next Frontiers In Deep Ocean Science: What Will We Discover and How Will We Do It Together? Thurs, 7 May, 2026 13:55 - 14:55 PM EDT
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
www.deepoceanobserving.org/pages/20… Executive Director of @schmidtOcean Dr. Jyotika Virmani will be on the panel entitled: The Next Frontiers In Deep Ocean Science: What Will We Discover and How Will We Do It Together? Thurs, 7 May, 2026 13:55 - 14:55 PM EDT
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
What do shrimp see? “These guys have completely different eye designs,” according to Dr. Jan Hemmi, a visual neurobiologist. Their large eye size tells Dr. Hemmi and his colleagues that eyes are pretty important to these animals. #designingthefuture3 Read more: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
ROV SuBastian wants to know if you have voted! We've been nominated for a People's Voice Webby, and you can cast your vote here: vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Have you voted for Schmidt Ocean Institute and the #MarDelPlata science team yet? There's still time! vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
VOTE for US on a light blue background with an image of a blue comb jelly
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
#PoetryInOcean: “I speak of underneathedness... I speak for the damselfly, water skeet, mollusk, the caterpillar, the beetle, the spider, the ant. I speak from a time before spinelessness was frowned upon.” Camille T. Dungy’s poetry seemed a lovely way to celebrate tiny marvels in the midwater.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
We’ve been nominated for a Webby for the social and community engagement we achieved with the science team during the #MardelPlataCanyon expedition in Argentina! Vote here: vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
VOTE FOR US on green background with a photo of an orange sea star.
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Schmidt Ocean Institute @schmidtocean.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
A so-fish-ticated catshark, of the freckled variety! Scyliorhinus haeckelii are common fr Bahia Brazil to northern Argentina. Freckled catshark live along the continental shelf as deep as 400 m. Filmed at 202 m, offshore of Uruguay and the Rio del Plata during the #AsgardArchaea expedition.
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