How many young do a star fish produce?

Starfish reproduce both sexually and asexually. During sexual reproduction, two starfish release their gametes into the water column, where fertilization occurs. The fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae, which eventually settle on the bottom and metamorphose into juvenile starfish. A single starfish can produce millions of eggs, but only a small fraction of these will survive to adulthood.

During asexual reproduction, a starfish can split its body in two, creating two new individuals. This process is known as fission. Fission typically occurs when the starfish is injured or stressed, and it can be a way for the starfish to regenerate lost body parts.

The number of young that a starfish produces depends on the species and the environmental conditions. Some starfish species can produce up to 200 million eggs in a single spawning event, while others may produce only a few thousand. The survival rate of starfish larvae is also highly variable, and it can be influenced by a number of factors, including predation, disease, and food availability.