It sounds like you're after a species with a bit of character, something with a more interesting behaviour perhaps than schooling fish.
So... how about zebra/chain loach which will spend a bit more time resting on the surfaces and decoration in the tank as well as swimming mid water. They would need to be fed a sinking food. I'm afraid ive no personal experience with these fish, but someone else may be able to advise further.
Another option would be dwarf cichlids; Agassiz's/Cockatoo/Bolivian Ram/Kribensis, these fish are a bit more intelligent than most, forming breeding pairs, territories etc. and interact with each other more. Their swimming style is different to tetra too, they tend to swim to something, hover near it to take a look, swim to something else etc.
Gourami are also another option though the best option probably is Dwarf Gourami, be warned many of these fish are imported with a virus which is not curable and often means they only survive a few months... they are characteristic fish however with their feelers used to investigate objects. They interact more with each other than tetra or rasbora. Their swimming style is slower and they interact with, swim through decor more than most.
Hope that helps.