how do starfish reproduce?

Gilraen Took · Mar 9, 2007

Well, specifically brittle stars. I was told a while back at my usual store that they do it sexually. So I'd have to have at least one male, at least one female to populate the tank. Then today when I was at another store I just happened to see "a" star sitting in the sand(yay!!! Mini bristle!!!) I asked the owner if I could reach down and get it, she said I could. Well, it was 2, not one of them. One had 3 legs, the other had 4 and 2 small ones. They were both stuck in the same spot. I know asterinas split to reproduce, so I was wondering if the mini-bristles can do that too?

greenbean36191 · Mar 9, 2007

Some species only reproduce sexually, some can do both, and some reproduce asexually. Most the of "mini" species reproduce by splitting. A general rule with brittle stars is that species with only 5 legs reproduce sexually since it takes at least 3 legs for their mode of locomotion. 6 legs is a modification for being able to produce 2 viable halves.

Omar 69 · Mar 9, 2007

Most sea star have separate sexes. A pair of gonads lies in each interradial sapce. Fertiliztion is external and occurs in early the summer when eggs and sperm are shed into the water. A secretion from neurosecretory cells located on the radial nerves stimulates maturation and shedding of asteroid eggs.

how do starfish reproduce?

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