TORONTO -- Little Noah Kosalka briefly holds, then gently releases the palm-length fish that circled him inquisitively on a shallow shore this summer.

The happy four-minute scene posted on YouTube was filmed by the six-year-old's dad -- whose obviously loving, encouraging voice decries the revelation that Wojciech Kosalka, 43, killed his son Saturday, then committed suicide.

On the video posted by Noah's mom, Tayna Brancalion wrote: "My son has always been kind of an animal whisperer.

"Deer follow him, he holds crazy snakes that become totally calm in his hands, the list goes on and on but this was a first even a wild fish has made friends with him," she wrote, adding, "This video is four minutes of a two-hour encounter between the fish and my son who's name is oddly enough Noah. lol."

His father can be heard saying "you made the fish friend. He doesn't want to let you go ... that is awesome."

In a thick European accent, he urges Noah to swim "slowly."

Then, in proud, smiling tones, Kosalka says "you are a survivor, good job. You have a fish pet."

His blonde, hazel-eyed son replies, "I love her."

At the end, his father advises, "I can't leave you alone here," saying he must fetch Brancalion, to tell her about Noah's fish encounter.

The clip was posted June 16, 84 days before the bodies of father and son were found inside the family's Milton, ON, home.

Among residents left shocked and puzzled is Noah's young next-door neighbour.

John Zaia, 9, often played with Noah, who he said had a lizard, enjoyed iPad games and "had a skateboard."

As tears dampened his cheek, he said his playmate's death left him "sad.

"We were good friends," John said, as his mom comforted him. "He was fun."