Does a Starfish Lay Eggs

Reproduction and Life Cycle 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.

Do starfish reproduce internally or externally?

Each starfish arm contains two gonads that release gametes through openings called gonoducts, located on the central disc between the arms. Fertilization is generally external but in a few species, internal fertilization takes place.

How does a starfish mate?

Spawning. Starfish reproduce sexually by spawning. Spawning means that the sex cells are released into the water. … When starfish spawn, the males release sperm and the females release eggs in great numbers. Female starfish may release millions of tiny eggs into the water during a spawning session.