Seafood: how long does it last?

24 seafood items with published storage times, 2 of them with a specific after-opening window.

Updated 2026-08-07 · Free · No sign-up

ItemAfter openingUnopened / otherStore at
Caviar (fresh, in jar)2 days1–4 weeksRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Cooked fish (all)3–4 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Cooked shellfish (all)3–4 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Crab legs (king, dungeness, snow)2–4 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Crab meat (fresh)1–3 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Crab meat (pasteurized)3–5 days10–12 monthsRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fatty fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.)1–2 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (cold smoked, air pack)14–30 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (cold smoked, vacuum pack)21–30 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (hot smoked, air pack)14–45 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (hot smoked, vacuum pack)14–45 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fresh clams, mussels, oysters5–10 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fresh lobster tails (cooked)2–3 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fresh whole lobster (frozen)1–2 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fresh whole lobster (live)1 dayRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Herring (glass packed, in wine sauce)4–6 monthsRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Lean fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.)1–2 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Lean fish (pollock, ocean perch, rockfish, sea trout.)1–2 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters1–2 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Scallops1–3 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Shrimp, crayfish1–3 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Shucked clams, mussels, and oysters3–10 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Squid1–3 daysRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Surimi seafoodUntil the package use-by dateRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below

Tap any item for its full storage table, spoilage signs, and storage tips. A dash means no figure is published for that situation — not that it keeps forever.

Spotting spoilage in seafood

General guidance for the category, not a per-product finding. When in doubt, throw it out.

Other categories

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