Acclimating a new fish

[in too deep]

I've just purchased a wonderful looking Harliqine Tusk fish. I put the fish along with the water in a dark blue bucket. I then used the drip method for about an hour. At first the fish didn't move once I put him in the bucket to start the drip method. When I purchased the fish at the store he was doing well swimming like crazy. So after the acclimation was done I put the whole bucket in the tank and just let him swim out on his own. He did just that and started to swim. I thought everything was going well. Then I come back 20 min. later and he's at the top of the tank behind the pre-filter sucking at the top of the water as if he's gasping for air.
Is this normal? Can anyone explain what is happening? The lights are off and I'm going back to work and I'll give updates once I return home from work.

 

[armageddon]

If you provide your water conditions it will enable people to help you out more with your problem. More info needed.

 

[nas19320]

Its probably just stress unless one of your tank parameters was way off. If it lasts a few days then I would worry. In the future I wouldn't dump the water the fish came in into the tank. Just dump the water through a net and then put the fish in the tank.

 

[in too deep]

Water parameters are good the only one that is off is the nitrates(30ppm). He's now stays in a vertical position behind the pre-filter.

 

[in too deep]

I went back to the pet store today and asked for some advice and I was told to keep the lights off. He's come from behind the pre-filter and is on the other side of the tank with his nose still in the air.
I'm still waiting for suggestions or even similar situations with results.