Possibly X-Rated starfish??

[Volkman]

Sorry for the junky cell phone pic, can't find our nice camera yet, not good. What are these guys doing? One has been on top of the other the past couple of days. I didn't think starfish reproduced this way, thought they dropped a leg.

They, ah, gettin it on??

 

[bradbmbj]

I don't know, are you getting excited in more ways than one though?

 

[bradbmbj]

Ok, sorry for that, couldnt help myself. I did find this

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sndsftstrrepro.htm

 

[greenbean36191]

What you're seeing is pseudocopulation. The stars are broadcast spawners but they climb on top of each other before they do so to improve the odds of their gametes meeting. However, you shouldn't expect to see any successful reproduction.

FWIW very few species can reproduce by dropping comets (the legs that drop off and regenerate into new stars.)

 

[Volkman]

Brad, you had me a little worried there buddy.... but thanks for the info!
Greenbean, as usual, great info. I don't necessarly want more sandstars, but what should we expect to see in the reproduction phase? This is so interesting.
Our Bangaii's just breed again, we got 18 babies this time around... little smaller batch then last.... It is so interesting watching them go through all the different phases, might be so with these guys too.
Jees, there must be something in our water.... I better be careful,we just got married last fall!

 

[mushroomhead]

I had 3 sand sifting stars at one time and they used to stack themselves up 3 high. Never thought they had a 3 way going.

 

[greenbean36191]

If they ever actually spawn you'll see a puff of eggs and then a puff of sperm and then that will be the end of it. You won't see any larvae or anything.