See text Pterasteridae is a family of sea stars in the order Velatida, consisting of eight genera.

Pterasterids are primarily deep-water, and have an inflated aboral surface.

Like many other members of the ordo Velatida, they have a hole in the middle of the central disc called "osculum", from which they can expel mucus for defending against predators.

[2] Many species brood their young in an internal chamber flushed with seawater.

Fossil pterasterids have been found as early as the upper Campanian of the Cretaceous period.