# How Long Do Starfish Live?

> Starfish lifespan is typically 5–35 years depending on species. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).

- **Species:** Starfish (*Asteroidea*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Carnivore (mollusks, clams, mussels)
- **Habitat:** Ocean floors, from tide pools to the deep sea
- **Lifespan:** 5–35 years depending on species
- **Top speed:** Very slow; centimeters per minute
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/starfish/how-long-do-starfish-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/starfish/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

Starfish, also called sea stars, are marine invertebrates of the class Asteroidea, easily recognised by the five arms radiating from a central disc. They are echinoderms rather than fish, and creep slowly across the seabed on hundreds of tiny tube feet. Most species measure 12 to 25 cm across, prey on clams and mussels, and can regrow lost arms. Depending on the species they live anywhere from about 5 to 35 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## An echinoderm, not a fish

Although they are often called starfish, sea stars are not fish at all but echinoderms, relatives of sea urchins and sand dollars. There are roughly 2,000 species in the class Asteroidea, found in every ocean from shallow tide pools to the deep sea. Most have five arms arranged around a central disc, though some species carry many more. Instead of a backbone they have a tough, spiny skin and a body plan built around radial symmetry.

## Help protect the Starfish

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/starfish/how-long-do-starfish-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.