Ok, So here's the basic deal. I bought 2 O's, one tiger and one lutino. I temporarily put my big O (my 5" red that has been rehomed with my 2 large lutino O's) in the tank with the smaller 2 long enough for me to move the other tank. 48 hours tops. Well, needless to say, the big O killed the lutino and had to be moved. Since then, I've replaced the lutino with another lutino. The new lutino was introduced into the new tank along with 2 green severums. 2 firemouth cichlids were introduced a couple weeks after that for a total of 6 fish in a 125 gallon tank. They have all since been moved to my 90 temporarily until I'm able to get my 285 up and running. Here inlies the question... All of the other fish seem to get along fine except for the lutino who constantly hides. I have changed up the decorations but the new decoration he is able to get inside of and pretty much stays in there poking his head out occasionally. The only time he ever comes out completely is feeding time. I have one more decoration that I'm looking to swap out that I don't believe he can actually get inside of. Will this stunt his growth? Is it healthy for him to just stay in there and hide all of the time? Water conditions have always been good. Would have to do a water test to give you definitive numbers but tests I have done have been within parameters. I'm hoping when I get the 285 up and running, with the added room he won't need to hide. I'm also looking to add either 2 Jack Dempseys or 2 Red Devil Cichlids. Not until the big tank is up and running and cycled though. Just wondering about my lutino. He doesn't seem to be too stressed or anything. Just hides... ALL OF THE TIME. HAHA.

If the fish is healthy and eating properly then it's growth should not be stunted. Obviously if it stayed inside the ornaments 100% of the time and kept growing then it would get stuck, however I don't think this will ever happen. It will just get to the stage where it realizes it can't squeeze in anymore, although it may try.

If the fish is obviously having a hard time that it really isn't fair to leave it in the tank where it is getting bullied, you may have to find a more suitable home for it.

That's what I was figuring. Want to wait and see what happens with the new ornaments and bigger tank first. Right now he's not being bullied to the point of it getting injured. Just in hiding.

If the oscar isnt being bullied and is eating i wouldnt worry. However i would get a move on and get the 285 up and running asap. Also keep an eye on water quality in the 90g

I dunno, I guess if there is no obvious 'bullying' it seems to just comes down to individual temperament sometimes.