How long do live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters last?
In the fridge, live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters keep for 1 to 2 days from the package date.
No guideline
1 to 2 days
from the package date
No guideline
Do live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters 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 live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters have gone bad
General signs for seafood: shellfish, the group USDA lists live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters under.
- Shells that stay open and will not close when tapped
- Cracked or broken shells on live shellfish
- Strong ammonia or sour smell instead of a fresh sea smell
- Shrimp with a slimy texture or spreading black spots
- Live shellfish that float in water instead of sinking
More on seafood: shellfish. 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: shellfish last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.