problem with water lice

Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 gallon fresh water tank with a red fin tetra and a mickey mouse platy and 1 algea eater. Amazingly I just spotted a platy baby and researched that they can give birth to live babies qutie a while after being with a male. We have had her for about 3 months (3 months without a male). Pretty cool. Well after inspecting the tank for more babies (only one- she must of ate the others and we didn't even realize she had babies-very sad) I spotted a ton of little white things in the water especially down in the rock. I have learned that these are lice. How do they get in there? I bought some stuff to kill them however I don't want to harm the one baby platy that seems to have made it thus far. Do you think it is safe to put the medicine in the tank to kill the lice? Will it harm the baby platy? Sincerly awaiting your reply- Wendy

ANSWER: Hi Wendy:  The answer to your question depends on the type of medication you are using to rid the tank of lice.  The directions should point out if it is safe for fry... As a precaution I would remove all of the fish and then treat the tank for lice... add new water, etc and then the fish.... The lice may have come in the fish food, a new plant or on a new fish... its hard to say where they came from... but you have then now.  Please keep me posted and let me know if you have additional questions... dave

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QUESTION: I do believe that the lice may be in the fish food. I didn't think that was really possible, But it seems that I have had this ongoing problem since I started the new container of food. I will purchase a new bottle of food today. I treated the fish tank last night. I left the older adults (1 red fin tetra, algea eater and the platy) in the tank. I did however opt to take the baby out. I fear however that this may have upset the baby too much. I don't want to loose her now if she has survived this far and be the only living fry. Thank you very much for all your help.

Answer
Hi Wendy:  If she is in a proper container she will be fine... she will calm down in a while and be back to foraging.... Fry are remarkable creatures and I still remember the first batch I experienced...in fact I still have most of those original guppies left.... dave