Asteroids can regenerate arms and some can reproduce asexually as the central disc divides. In sexual reproduction, asteroids are mainly gonochoristic (having separate sexes), but a few are hermaphroditic. Asteroids usually have two gonads in each arm and a gonopore opening to the oral surface. Gonopores are usually at the base of each arm. Most asteroids are free spawners, releasing sperm and eggs into the water. A few hermaphroditic species brood their young. Spawning is probably nocturnal.

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); simultaneous hermaphrodite; sexual ; asexual ; fertilization (External ); viviparous ; oviparous

Although there is generally no parental investment beyond fertilization, a few hermaphroditic species brood their eggs. Brooding species are usually found in environments that are harsh for the larval stage.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Female)