Neuroendocrine stress axis function can provide important insight into variation in individual social behavior and group dynamics, for example, through reprogramming by early-life social experience and associations with status and behavior. We studied the behavior, group structure, and hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis of juvenile Astatotilapia burtoni, a highly social cichlid fish. Cortisol has important social interactions in adults, for example, with social status; however, cortisol has yet to be studied in juveniles. Juveniles express complex social behaviors, similar to adults, but social status and reproductive state differ. We formed social groups of 5 fish (8-11 weeks old) and measured water-borne cortisol and spatial position for each fish in three different environments. The environments consisted of a small, large, or no clay territory structure in the tank, which were designed to influence fish position. There was a significant interaction between the social group and average distance between fish, suggesting the territory had group-specific effects on spatial distribution. Fish also situated themselves on the outer boundary of the territory, rather than the center. Next, we tested whether and how variation in cortisol levels reflects variation in spatial position. We hypothesized that individuals occupying similar physical and social spaces across groups have similar cortisol levels, and highly dynamic groups have more variation in individual cortisol levels than more stationary or stable groups. This work can help uncover the role of stress axis function in behavior and development, as well as future effects on adult phenotype.