Mixotrophic protists play a crucial role in the ocean's food web, supporting primary production and nutrient recycling. Unlike traditional views that focus on phytoplankton, these protists combine photosynthesis and feeding to efficiently transfer energy and nutrients. In mature ecosystems, mixotrophic protists dominate over other plankton, leading to a more direct pathway from nutrient recycling to primary production. Neglecting these mixotrophs in studies can skew our understanding of carbon flow dynamics. Including them in ecosystem models is essential for accurately predicting the impact of climate change on biogeochemical cycles and the biological pump.