How long does cooked fish last?
In the fridge, cooked fish keeps for 3 to 4 days from purchase.
No guideline
3 to 4 days
from purchase
No guideline
Does cooked fish go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, cooked fish may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell cooked fish has gone bad
General signs for seafood: fresh, the group USDA lists cooked fish under.
- Strong fishy, sour or ammonia-like smell
- Slimy film on the flesh instead of a moist sheen
- Dull, sunken eyes and grey gills on whole fish
- Flesh that stays dented when pressed instead of springing back
- Dry, browning edges on fillets left uncovered
More on seafood: fresh. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other seafood: fresh last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.