How long does fish last?
In the fridge, fish keeps for 14 to 45 days from the package date. All 6 kinds are below.
No guideline
14 to 45 days
from the package date
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hot smoked, air pack | no guideline | 14 to 45 days | no guideline | 9 to 12 months |
| hot smoked, vacuum pack | no guideline | 14 to 45 days | no guideline | 6 to 12 months |
| cold smoked, air pack | no guideline | 14 to 30 days | no guideline | 9 to 12 months |
| cold smoked, vacuum pack | no guideline | 21 to 30 days | no guideline | 9 to 12 months |
| breaded | no guideline | Not recommended | no guideline | 18 months |
| raw but headed and gutted | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline | 6 months |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Does fish go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, 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 fish has gone bad
General signs for seafood: smoked, the group USDA lists fish under.
- Sour or ammonia smell replacing the usual smoky scent
- Slimy film forming on the surface
- Dull, dry edges curling up on the flesh
- Mould spots, often white or greenish
- Package that has lost its vacuum seal or looks puffy
More on seafood: smoked. 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: smoked last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.