STARFISH REPRODUCTION
Most starfish using a method known as "free-spawning." Starfish release their gametes into the water which are hopefully fertilized by gametes of the opposite sex. To increase their chance of fertilization, starfish gather in groups during spawning season and release their gametes together, using chemical signs to coordinate timing with each other. Some starfish, on the other hand, can reproduce asexually.
Fertilized eggs grow into bipinnaria larvae and then brachiolaria larvae (they grow by consumption of plankton). In this larvae stage, the starfish are mere plankton, using cilia to stay suspended in the water. As they mature, however, the plankton undergoes a metamorphasis and becomes a starfish.
Fertilized eggs grow into bipinnaria larvae and then brachiolaria larvae (they grow by consumption of plankton). In this larvae stage, the starfish are mere plankton, using cilia to stay suspended in the water. As they mature, however, the plankton undergoes a metamorphasis and becomes a starfish.