This is the first report of essential oil of Nectandra grandiflora being used as an anaesthetic for fish. All concentrations of Spilanthes acmella extract induced deep anaesthesia, and fast induction (< 3 min) was achieved at 10 mg L− 1. This is the first study on the use of extractives of N. grandiflora and S. acmella as antioxidants for tambaqui fish. Sedation with either anaesthetics enhanced protection against oxidative damage in tissues after transport in hyperoxia.