My former biology teacher has had an old tank in storage that one of her previous students gave her, and this past year I've been setting it up for her. After cycling it, I put a few platies (she's got a tank full of them, though that tank's in pretty poor condition) and 3 Sterbei cory cats in, all of whom are doing well at the moment.

The tank's approximately 45 gallons, and while it does have a decent filter and airstone, it hasn't got a hood (I could devise some kind of covering, but no lighting).

My question is, what else should go in this tank? I was thinking South or Central American cichlids, but the tank is in the unique position of being in a pretty busy classroom - I don't want anything too shy, but I also want something that'll showcase interesting behaviors or appearances, since the tank's not just for my benefit. Ideally, the fish should be hardy and cheap as well. Not that she can't take care of animals, but I don't want to risk getting her something that requires completely pristine water. Oh, and if some platies should be eaten in the process, she's got a definite surplus of them. So...no harm done there.

So, to recap: not a jumper, not too shy, interesting or colorful, and hardy. I was thinking a pair of kribs, or maybe a severum, but I'd love to hear better ideas.

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Cichlids will kill the platies, unless you plan to move the platies elsewhere. I would suggest a pair of angels or a pair of german blue rams, with a school of zebra danios or a school of tiger barbs. Just my thoughts though.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

Yeah, I figured about the platies. That would actually be a good thing, there are way too many of them right now.

Rams did cross my mind...I've kept Bolivians before, but I always hear that M. ramirezi requires above-average water cleanliness and movement, and I'm not convinced she's willing to put the time in. I'd rather hedge my bets by sticking with something a little sturdier.

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Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.
- Douglas Adams

Angels would almost fit the bill. Definitely not shy. Although I love Rams mine tend to be a bit skittish.

If you get anything pretty, make sure the kids don't mess with it...

In my former school, my biology teacher would end up with missing fish.

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That sounds like an elaborate theft...xD

Luckily the teacher herself is terrifying enough that I'm not worried about it.

Hm. Angles would fit the bill, I guess, though I was hoping for something that most non-aquarium people wouldn't have seen before.

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Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.
- Douglas Adams

Galaxy rasboras are kinda rare.Really the possibilities are endless,lol.If you dont mind a non schooling fish and price isnt an issue,get some wild bettas.Many people would never even guess they are bettas,depending on what you get.And they are not shy or too aggressive,again depending on what you get.And then you will have the added bonus of doing a favor to the species maintenance program by educating lots of young people on these rare fish.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Wow, sorry for the sudden bump/huge gap between posts, but I just got back from a place where the internet is wild and un-harnessed.

Wild bettas might work, but my concern would be both feeding and jumping, since the tank hasn't got a top. Out of curiosity, where would I get a wild betta from?

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Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.
- Douglas Adams