Ensiculifera carinata is a marine dinoflagellate in the family Ensiculiferaceae, characterized by its distinctive armored theca with a prominent longitudinal keel or ridge. It is found in warm marine waters and contributes to dinoflagellate diversity in coastal and oceanic plankton communities. Like other heterotrophic or mixotrophic dinoflagellates, it may feed on smaller phytoplankton.