Reproduction: Sea stars are broadcast spawners. Males release sperm into the water and females release eggs. The fertilized eggs hatch into a larval form that lives as plankton, sometimes for months, before settling on the sea floor in its adult form.

Do starfish lay eggs or give birth?

Reproduction. Both male and female sea stars hold their sperm and eggs in pouches at the base of their arms. They reproduce by free spawning, that means ideally the male and female release their eggs and sperm at the same time. The egg and sperm float until they meet up and the sperm is able to fertilize the egg.

How many eggs does a starfish lay?

The sea star spawns by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where the eggs are fertilized. Females can release up to 2.5 million eggs. Fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae.