How long does fatty fish last?
In the fridge, fatty fish keeps for 1 to 2 days from the package date.
No guideline
1 to 2 days
from the package date
No guideline
Does fatty fish go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, fatty 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 fatty fish has gone bad
- Fresh fish smells mild and clean, never fishy, sour or like ammonia. A sour, rancid or fishy smell in raw or cooked fish means do not eat it.
- A whole fish should have firm flesh that springs back when pressed, clear shiny eyes and red gills with no odour.
- Fillets should be firm with red blood lines and no discolouration, darkening or drying around the edges.
- Spoilage odours get stronger after cooking. If cooked fish gives off even a fleeting ammonia smell, throw it out.
- Use fresh fish within 2 days of buying, kept at 40 F (4 C) or below. If you cannot, wrap it tightly and freeze it.
Sources: Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely (FDA). The times on this page 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.