In The Sims 3, the Deathfish is a rare and powerful catch used in making Ambrosia—an ultra-special meal that can reset a Sim’s age or even bring ghosts back to life. But if you want to reel in this eerie aquatic creature, you’ll need the right prep, timing, and bait. Here’s how to do it.
Where to Find Deathfish in The Sims 3
Deathfish can only be caught in a few specific locations in The Sims 3, most notably:
- Graveyard Pond in most worlds
- Other spooky or hidden ponds, depending on your expansion packs or custom worlds
Use the Inspect Water option on a fishing spot at night to confirm if Deathfish are available there.
Best Time to Catch Deathfish
Deathfish are nocturnal. That means the following:
- You can only catch them between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM
- Outside of those hours, the fish won’t appear even in the right location
Plan ahead by sending your Sim to the graveyard around 11:00 PM so they’re ready to fish at midnight.
What You Need Beforehand
To successfully catch a Deathfish, your Sim needs:
- Fishing Skill: At least Level 5, but ideally Level 10
- Correct Bait: Angelfish
- Optional: The Angler trait helps increase the chances of catching rarer fish
How to Get Angelfish in The Sims 3
Before you can catch a Deathfish, you’ll need to catch an Angelfish first. To get Angelfish:
- Use Alley Catfish as bait
- Fish during the daytime at regular fishing spots
- Once you catch a few Angelfish, you’re ready to go Deathfishing
How to Catch Deathfish Step-by-Step
- Raise Fishing Skill: Ideally to level 10 for the best chance.
- Catch Angelfish First: Use bait strategy as mentioned above.
- Travel to the Graveyard before midnight.
- Click “Fish with Bait” and select Angelfish.
- Fish between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Stay persistent—it may take several tries.
How to Stock Your Own Pond with Deathfish
Once you’ve caught at least 10 Deathfish, you can stock a pond on your home lot:
- Use Build/Buy Mode to create a pond.
- Click on it and choose “Stock Pond with Fish.”
- Select Deathfish from your inventory.
Once stocked, you can catch Deathfish from your own backyard! Be it day or night in The Sims 3.
What to Do with Deathfish in The Sims 3
- Make Ambrosia: Requires a Deathfish and a Life Fruit. Your Sim must have Cooking Level 10 and the Ambrosia recipe.
- Sell It: High-quality Deathfish can sell for a lot of Simoleons.
- Mount It: Turn it into a spooky wall trophy.
- Show It Off: Place it in an aquarium if you’re going for a creepy-cute aesthetic.
For more advanced fishing strategies, check out our guide on Sims 3: How to Fish.