Community Tank/Ick

Question
Ok, where to start...
I have a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium set-up with 1 Clown Loach, 1 Black Molly, 1 Dwarf Cory, 1 Ghost Shrimp and a Rubber Mouth Pleco. They are all under 1 inch. I just recently purchased the Pleco and now my Clown Loach has Ick really bad. I bought Ick Clear tablets hoping to clear it up and prevent the other fish from getting it. Today is the second day, second treatment and still no signs of him getting better. To top it off when I looked a little closer I noticed that my Molly had given birth! (They are livebearers right?) This is the second time she has given birth and she is the only Molly in the tank...Is it possible the Clown Loach is the father? They are together night and day-best friends. That brings me to the next concern. Since the Clown Loach and Molly are always together do you think the babies are more susceptible to the Ick? I cut the dosage to half the tablet of Ick Clear and changed 25% of the water(adding Stress Coat) as directed when there are small fish, weak and scaleless fish etc. Was that the right thing to do? I want the babies to live this time around. Of course Ick was not a threat last time!
Last question:
Last time my Molly had babies something ate them all. Who do you think it is? I took the Shrimp out this time because I am suspicious it might be him!
Sorry for the long question, thank you for your time!

Answer
Ok, where to start...
I have a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium set-up with 1 Clown Loach, 1 Black Molly, 1 Dwarf Cory, 1 Ghost Shrimp and a Rubber Mouth Pleco. They are all under 1 inch <Right now they fit, but in the future you will need a 40-55 gallon tank>. I just recently purchased the Pleco and now my Clown Loach has Ick really bad. I bought Ick Clear tablets hoping to clear it up and prevent the other fish from getting it. Today is the second day, second treatment and still no signs of him getting better <I am not sure what the tablets are, but they should take a few more days to take effect>. To top it off when I looked a little closer I noticed that my Molly had given birth! (They are livebearers right? <yes> ) This is the second time she has given birth and she is the only Molly in the tank <They can store semen for up to seven births while away from a male molly>...Is it possible the Clown Loach is the father <No> ? They are together night and day-best friends. That brings me to the next concern. Since the Clown Loach and Molly are always together do you think the babies are more susceptible to the Ick <The babies will always be the most susceptible no matter what>? I cut the dosage to half the tablet of Ick Clear and changed 25% of the water(adding Stress Coat) as directed when there are small fish, weak and scaleless fish etc. <good> Was that the right thing to do? I want the babies to live this time around. Of course Ick was not a threat last time!
Last question:
Last time my Molly had babies something ate them all. Who do you think it is? I took the Shrimp out this time because I am suspicious it might be him! <No, all the fish, even the molly, will go after the fry because the other fish view them as WONDERFUL snacks>
Sorry for the long question, thank you for your time!


<Now, I would do a complete water change. Now, bump up the heater to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, take a cup of water from the tank and dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of kosher, sea, or aquarium salt in the cup. Herd all the fish to one side of the tank and pour the salt solution in the end without the fish. Mix. Let the fish swim around.

Now perform a thorough gravel vacuuming to remove any cysts in te gravel>

<Please respond with how everything is going>

<John Kliewer>