To ensure this success, a sea star will release pheromones with its sperm or eggs to lure others to the area to spawn. A sea star can also reproduce asexually by dividing the central disc in two and regenerating each half. Embryos feed on plankton and are ciliated. After gastrulation, the embryo becomes a larva, which forms arms and grows into a juvenile sea star. The juvenile eventually matures into an adult.
Many sea stars can regenerate body parts.
If a detached portion of a sea star contains part of the central disc, that portion can grow into a brand new star. Regeneration usually takes up to one year to complete. Not a bad survival trait to have, if you ask me. A nerve ring encircles the mouth. Radial nerves extend into each arm and coordinate the functions of the tube feet.