Possibly getting a snail

I would like a nerite for algae and something to look at. I might want a MTS too. Can they both live in a gravel bottomed tank together? First attempt with snails. I hope to get snails, a plant or two, and a few Ottos this weekend. They'll all be quarantined for a week in my 3.5. I can divide if neccesary. If I quarantine the plant, will it be shocked when it goes in my main?

 

They should be fine together. If you're getting Otto cats, ask them when the shipment came in. Trust me if they just got them in, wait till they have been in their tank for a minimum of a week. They aren't fed during transport, and it stresses them out. Many of them will die within the week of being at the pet store.

 

Will the snails be OK with gravel? I know about the ottos. My remaining one was part of a trio that came to the store a day before. They get their shipments on Thursday. I can get mine on Monday at the latest.

My remaining Otto is named Sonic. Very well fed. Thought I'd get a few more for company and to help Sonic keep up.

 

Yea, gravel is fine.

 

OK good. Should I get 1 nerite and 1 mts?

 

Mts breed like rabbits. Maybe just go with the ottos and nerite snail. You could get an infestation of mts if you're not careful. They give them away for free by me. Because they're considered pests.

 

Ok. Do mts breed on their own? Or do they need a partner?

 

Yea, a single mts can breed by itself.

 

are there any scavenger snails that won't breed?

 

Mystery snails are great. Although they will breed in the right conditions, you can just throw out egg clutches if you see them.

 

If I just get 1 mystery will it breed? Still planning on getting a merited and ottos

 

No, but if it's a female mystery they can hold onto a male mystery's sperm for a month. But it's nothing to worry about if it's small when you get it. They need to reach a certain size before breeding is an option.

 

Ok. So possibly a small mystery and a nerite.

 

I have mystery's, nerites, and 'pest' snails in both of my tanks. They are cool to watch, and I've noticed that the mystery and nerites have different personalities. I imagine the common snails do too, but simply don't have enough hours in a day to lose myself watching the tanks to figure it out. Pity.... Gravel is fine, plants are great. I don't know anything about Ottos so can't advise you there, but think you will like a snail or two....or three...