bristlenose catfish

After many weeks I have finally got a fully cycled tank, and have some Tetras running around happily. Next on my list is a Bristlenose, however I have a few questions. Substrate type? (I have 2-3mm river gravel, suitable?) Is DW required? Special food requirements?

when buying 4 white cloud mountain minnows and a bristlenose catfish for my 16 litre tank which currently has a single male Betta, I was also accidentaly given what i THINK is a Malaysian Trumpet Snail. Can MTS's also go into the tank with the white clouds, catfish and betta?

I've had the bigger on of the two (who is upright) for about 3 months and in that time she has grown nearly 5 inches. At first we thought she was a bristelnose catfish but she is now around 7 - 7 1/2 inches long and looks to be still going so either she is a giant or we got it wrong. I know...

hi... I decided to post a thread on here because I need some advice and I've already exhausted all my fishkeeping books. I have a very small tropical fish tank (at least small compared to most tanks.) The dimensions are roughly 18 x 8 x 10 inches. I know you're all going to tell me thats way too...