It has a unique adaptation for consuming shellfish. The sea star then returns its stomach through its mouth. Each arm contains a branch of the digestive tract, the reproductive organs and a primitive eye at the end of the arm. The sea star can regenerate lost limbs. Oysters, clams, scallops, snails, worms, anemones, sea urchins, fish, shrimps, and decaying animal matter.
Sexes are separate, but there is no external distinction.
Eggs are deposited in the water and fertilized by the male. Free-swimming larva develop and later mature to adult. Because of their partiality to shellfish, stars have decimated commercial fishing beds from time to time. Enemies of the sea star include man, fish and eels who eat the larva, and gulls and crows who eat the sea stars in shallow water.