Hiding for DAYS with bump on forehead, help!

Hi, I've had my bicolour pseudochromis for 2 months plus, and he'd always been really REALLY healthy.

Until I put him into a breeding container a few weeks ago (because he was bullying my damsel and goby, planning to transfer him to a new tank soon). He's been eating much less than he used to, only a few pellets a day.

For the past few days he's been very easily 'shocked'. When I get near the tank or open the container's cover to feed him, he'd hide in a piece of pipe I put in there and just lay there for MINUTES.

Is that normal?

Few days ago when he was swimming around I noticed his 'forehead' had swelled up!



3 days ago, I released my pseudo back into the tank.
He's been hiding in his usual spot under a rock ever since.

Yes, until now. I've never seen him swim out even ONCE. But he's still alive, I've been checking.

I don't think he's been eating, since he never leaves the spot.

What could be wrong? Is he just stressed out/traumatized? What should I do?

 

Most likely stress from being in a small space. He most likely got spooked in the small place and ran into something. Have you tried garlic to get him to eat? Also you could spot feed to his hiding place.

 

I just tried soaking an enticer in mysis shrimp then squirting it into his hiding place.

He went into shock. :S

Don't think he ate either.