Moments that make us say “GPwhOa!” 🐙 Have you spotted our #GiantPacificOctopus exploring its habitat? Keep a sharp eye as this clever #cephalopod is a master of disguise, blending into rocks and squeezing into tiny hidden spaces. #octopus

🎓 Last week, we welcomed @ucsandiego.bsky.social alumna @ayanaeliza.bsky.social, a marine biologist, climate policy expert & bestselling author, back to campus. During her visit, she promoted community action and climate solutions, and also hosted a dance party at @birchaquarium.bsky.social!

o-fish-al reminder that tomorrow … IT’S GONNA BE MAY 🐟

From funding field trips to supporting summer camp scholarships, gifts to the Birch Aquarium Education Fund help spark discovery, expand access to ocean science and more! This #TritonGivingDay, you can help make these programs possible by donating to Birch Aquarium Education Fund!

☀️ HAVE YOU EVER STARED DIRECTLY AT THE SUN?! 👀 Us whenever we get a glimpse of a bright orange #Garibaldi swimming through a Giant Kelp Forest.

🐧 tiny torpedoes 🩵 Little Blue Penguins are built for speed in the water — their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies make them expert swimmers. In fact, their scientific name literally means “good little diver”! #WorldPenguinDay #LittleBluePenguin #Penguin

🌏 💙 💚 Got love for your planet? #SpeakUp4Science! Science makes America healthier, safer and more prosperous. Tell Congress to reject proposed cuts to federal research agencies and reinvest in American science. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/get-involved/speak-up-for-science #EarthDay

What if building an immersive exhibit didn’t mean building more waste? We’re excited to share that about 76% of the materials used in Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog were either reclaimed or reused! Learn how we’re rethinking sustainable exhibit design ⬇️ today.ucsd.edu/story/sustai...

Roll the dice 🎲 and celebrate #NationalBoardGameDay with Monopoly: San Diego Edition! Spot #BirchAquarium on the board alongside other iconic San Diego landmarks — and grab your own copy in the aquarium’s Gift Shop!

"Join us for a #ClimateDanceParty celebrating ocean science, climate solutions, and community with @scrippsocean.bsky.social alumna @ayanaeliza.bsky.social! 🎶 Dance. 🐟 Connect. 🐠 Explore #BirchAquarium 🎉 Tickets are going FAST — grab yours ⬇️ aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/clima...

From uncovering the mysteries of the Red Octopus settlement to celebrating milestones in penguin chick care, our work highlights the essential role aquariums play in advancing science and conservation. This #EarthMonth, discover 8 ways #BirchAquarium is advancing ocean science and conservation!

Shine bright like a Diamond(fish) 💎🐠 #Diamondfish truly live up to their name! Their pointed fins and shimmering silver scales reflect light, dazzling the eye — and confusing predators at the same time.

Did you know? San Diego is home to its very own seahorse! The #PacificSeahorse can be found all along the coast from Southern California down to Peru — and yes, they’ve been spotted right here in San Diego’s local bays, estuaries and seagrass beds!

"Identity theft is not a joke!” – us when we realize some animals are lying about their name 😡 Please enjoy our list of animals we feel are lying to us ⬇️

We’re open late every Sunday until 7 p.m. for Birch After Hours! 🎉 Plus, enjoy a special discount on tickets when you visit during the last two hours of the day (offer valid only for online ticket purchases).

Me walking into a room all casual and calm ➡️ Me 0.5 seconds later

“I would like to see the baby … octopus.” 🐙 We interrupt your scrolling for a few more photos of our teeny-tiny Red Octopuses! Now that they’ve “settled” in, these little ones are exploring their surroundings behind the scenes.

🐙 #BirchAquarium has reached a major milestone in cephalopod care with the successful settlement of Red Octopuses! Experts believe this is the first time the #RedOctopus species has been hatched, raised and successfully settled in aquarium care! Read the full story below ⬇

Hoppy #WorldFrogDay! Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog is officially open and we’re giving our newest exhibit five stars (iykyk) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Be sure to hop on over to Birch Aquarium to see it for yourself! Explore Today: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/exhibits/imagine-wild

Once upon a time, we received a truly un-frog-ettable 1-star review … Now, we’re leaping with joy as Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog opens this #WorldFrogDay. 🐸 Discover how conservation is giving these endangered frogs a second chance in our newest exhibition at #BirchAquarium.

green looks good on everything 💚

🦞 close friend vs. public story … aquarium edition

Join us for Game Night at Birch Aquarium and experience the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour in a fun, after-hours environment. This all-ages event takes place on Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Get Tickets: aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/game-...

⭐ Phosphorus: Essential for Life, from Phytoplankton to Food ⭐ Join Dr. Julia Diaz as she explores the discovery of phosphorus, its surprising history, and its vital role in marine and terrestrial ecosystems — from phytoplankton to food! 📅 March 9 | 6:30 to 8 p.m. 🎟 Free for members | $12 public

🐧 Leveled up from fluffball to swimmer! 🎉 With its waterproof feathers now in, our chick is taking the plunge! Join Laura from our Penguin Care Team as she shows how these mini swim sessions help our chick gain confidence, comfort and skills in the water.

🐸 Something un-frog-ettable is hopping your way this #WorldFrogDay! 🎉 We're thrilled to announce an exciting new exhibition, Imagine Wild: Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, opening March 20, 2026. Learn more about this exciting new exhibition in the story below ⬇️ aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/ima...

🌅 Sunset: 5:34 p.m. 🐟 Birch Aquarium: Open till 7 p.m. 🎉 Your Sunday evenings just got even better! Birch After Hours kicks off tonight! That means every Sunday, we’re open until 7 p.m. with discounted admission, music and chill coastal vibes. It’s the perfect way to wind down your weekend!

You’re unbe-reef-vable 🪸 Tag or share a #Valentine with your sole-mate

🚀 Preparing for liftoff in T-minus 12 hours! Jessica Meir, a #NASA astronaut and @ucsandiego.bsky.social / Scripps alumna, is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station at approx. 2:15 a.m. PT on Feb. 13. Watch the NASA livestream here: bit.ly/461RI2G

Out of all the fish in the sea… you’re the one for me 😉 Tag or share a #Valentine with someone who makes your heart swim.

Come “Chill” with Polar Scientists! Join us for our next Pop-Up Science event on Feb. 6, from 1-3 p.m. Explore the fascinating world of polar science and meet @scrippsocean.bsky.social scientists conducting research in and about Antarctica. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/pop-s...

🎉 Chick it out! 🐧 For the first time, a Little Blue Penguin chick was raised by its penguin parents on habitat in Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins at #BirchAquarium. This marks another exciting milestone in our ongoing penguin breeding program! Full story: aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/fir...

🐟 Our version of “boy aquarium” 🐟 Still stuck at the cottage? We have a f-eel-ing a trip to #BirchAquarium might help 🐠 Send this to that special someone you’d want to visit the aquarium with 💙

📣 UPDATE WITH MORE DETAILS 🎉 Birch Aquarium is thrilled to host a stop on this year’s Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour, in partnership with Nintendo of America — our stop takes place Feb. 16 to March 26, 2026! Learn more details in the latest update below ⬇️ aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/ani...

The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour is coming to Birch Aquarium! This exciting partnership with Nintendo of America takes place from February 16 to March 26, 2026. Learn more about this exciting partnership at the link below ⬇️

🐧 Ever seen a penguin lay an egg? This #PenguinAwarenessDay, enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes moment as one of our Little Blue Penguins lays an egg! We’ll keep sharing updates throughout the breeding season, so be sure to check back for more penguin moments!

🔎 It’s all in the details … 🪸 Coral ⭐ Sea Star 🧡 Ornate Boxfish 🍯 Honeycomb Moray Eel From vibrant patterns to dazzling details, next time you visit #BirchAquarium, take a moment to notice the little things.

🌊 Cool Lecture Alert 🎉 Join Dr. Octavio Aburto as he shares exciting insight on a new, holistic approach to ocean conservation, Marine Prosperity Areas! 🐠 Feb. 9 | 6:30–8 p.m. 🎟 Free for members | $12 public https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/perspectives-lecture-series-february

Tidepooling is an amazing way to explore the outdoors, but it’s important to do so responsibly to protect the incredible creatures that call these habitats home. Here are a few key tips for tidepooling with care. Take a moment to review, share and help spread the word! 💙

🎉 New Year, New Nighttime Fun 🐟 🍹 Oceans at Night – 21+ event with drinks, music & ocean science. First event: Jan. 29. More dates coming soon! 🌅 Birch After Hours – All-ages evenings with discounted tickets, music & food. Every Sunday from 5  to 7 p.m. starting Feb. 16.

🧡 Stunning from every angle 🐟 Garibaldi stand out in the kelp forest thanks to their bright orange coloration, heart-shaped tails and territorial nature.

Looking for the perfect place to pause and reflect as this New Year begins? Step into Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, an immersive underwater escape inspired by the world’s only undersea research habitat. Blending meditation with marine science, experience a tranquil journey beneath the waves.

If Birch Aquarium isn’t on your New Year’s list, you’re doing it wrong 🐙 Start the year with a splash! Become a member and enjoy unlimited visits, exclusive discounts, special perks and more. Become a member: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/membership 📸 @UCSanDiego photographer Erik Jepsen

🐡 Fish we think resemble the New Year’s Eve ball drop … a series 🪩 🎊 Porcupine Pufferfish 🎊 Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker 🎊 Longhorn Cowfish Friendly reminder that #BirchAquarium will close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 and will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year's Day.

🩵 From exciting new exhibitions and groundbreaking conservation efforts to countless moments of ocean joy, 2025 has been a truly landmark year for #BirchAquarium! 🎉 A look back at this year’s highlights below ⬇️ https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/newsroom/living-seas-living-dreams-birch-aquariums-2025-story

But would you still love me if I was a #GardenEel? Did you know Garden Eels live in sandy burrows they dig tail-first? They then coat the walls with mucus from their bodies, cementing the sand grains together to keep their homes from collapsing. Talk about nature’s tiny engineer at work!

Happy Holi-rays! 🎁 Birch Aquarium is open today (Dec. 24) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Dec. 25 for Christmas.

Is it just us or is this basically the #HomeAlone poster … but with a pufferfish? 🐡

come sail away ⛵🐟 Named for their tall, elongated fins, the #SailfinTang glides through the reef like a ship in full sail. Those bold stripes aren’t just for looks … they help confuse predators as this speedy swimmer weaves through the colorful coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

The new Monopoly: San Diego Edition is o-fish-ally here and #BirchAquarium is featured on the board alongside some other iconic places! Want to play? #Monopoly is now available in the aquarium's Gift Shop!