[cichlidaholic]

Well, it's hard to determine the proper course of action based on the symptoms you have described.

It's not unusual for a new fish to hide, or lose colour, just from the stress of being the new fish in the tank. It's not unexpected for him to remain stressed in a bucket, either.

You don't have a hospital tank you can move him to? This would aid greatly in determining what is wrong with him. Unforunately, not eating, loss of colour and hiding are indicative of a myriad of fish diseases.

 

[cichlidaholic]

morningsky, he may have just been relentlessly harrassed by the other fish during the time he spent in the main tank.

It's just impossible to say whether metro is in order under these circumstances.

Just in case the meds are stressing him worse, why not try just daily water changes and adding some aquarium salt?

 

[cichlidaholic]

Not if the other fish are picking at him from below...

It's really best to have a hospital tank for times like this.

 

[cichlidaholic]

Sorry about that...It really sounds like you did everything exactly as I would have done.