Aquarium Salt in Betta Tank +

Question
QUESTION: Hi! I rescued Corriander, a red male betta, about 8 months ago from a long
line of foster homes and ungraded him from a boring, dirty, 1/2-gallon fish
bowl to a spacious 5-gal tank with gravel, live plants, a light, a gentle filter, a
catfish buddy (= housekeeper), and a couple of stowaway snails (presumably
from one of the plants I bought at PetSmart or Petco). I've been reading about
bettas and feel like I'm doing pretty well with keeping the water clean and
keeping Coriander stimulated with daily mirror playtime. I believe his fins
have even grown longer since I first got him.

I have 3 questions:
1. When I first put Coriander in his  new home, he was PSYCHED and quickly
built himself a happy little bubble nest. It was destroyed during a water
change, but I had read not to worry about that, that he'd build another. He
never has. Is he no longer impressed with his new digs? I want him to be
happy and I'm kind of taking his lapse in enthusiasm personally ...
2. I've read in several resources that he'd appreciate the benefits of a little
aquarium salt in his tank. I'm hesitant: I've seen the results of salt on slugs in
the garden and wonder if the snails will shrivel up? And I think I read that
catfish don't have scales; will the salt burn his skin? What about the live
plants?
3. Can I put a few neon tetras in the tank with him? I just like them but I don't
want to stress out Coriander or have his fins nipped.

Thanks in advance for imparting your expertise!
ANSWER: 1. I wouldn't worry about it. Males only build new ones if they expect a female. He is obviously isn;t expecting one (note: DO NOT GET HIM A FEMALE he will attack her for mating and kill her if he does not get it). From the sounds of it he is happy and healthy.
2. I hear that too. I have water softener so I just use that water and he seems to like it. But those snails you DON'T want to keep. They are like parasites. The best way to get rid of them is sisssor tails (they eat stuff like that but WILL pick at his fins). Another way is remove the plant they can one and pick 'em out manually. Salt might work. I have a slight snail problem but keeping on top of it works to make sure they don't multiply out of control.
3. I wouldn't recommend tetras because I don't know. I know Blood Fins and Mollies are real good community fish.

I would get another catfish for your catfish because catfish like to have buddies.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the responses. Good info.

Can I bother you with some follow-up questions?

How are the snails parasitic (these are just your run-of-the-mill red ramshorn
snails)? I've kept two of the alive as tank cleaners (I dispose of any others I
find). Do you have a higher opinion of the bigger, more attractive, more
exotic snails (like zebra snails) or are snails in general bad news?

And I'm all for getting the catfish a companion ... should I get the same kind
of catfish or will any catfish do?

THANKS, MEGAN!!

Answer
Alright, so I am confused, did you buy these snails or are they small, round, and sort of see through. I made a mistake, they aren't parasitic but multiply by the millions until the tank is overcrowded.
I don't think it matters, mine don't personally care on species but some might.