How do brittle stars take care of their babies?

Brittle stars exhibit minimal parental care for their young. After fertilization, the eggs are often released into the water column, where they develop independently. Some species may provide a safe environment by laying eggs in crevices or under rocks, but once the eggs hatch, the larvae are left to fend for themselves. Thus, their reproductive strategy relies on producing a large number of offspring to increase the chances of survival.