Anna, I am very sorry to hear you're still fighting this; I know how frustrating these situations can be. Here's the bottom line, IMO:...
Anna, I'm wondering if Dr. Vader (No) is on to something re: parasites. He mentioned that the pics made him think of that. I wonder if this could be excessive slime coming off the fish due to a parasitic infestation. The salt may have had an inhibitory effect on the parasites, but not killed them...
1) I hate to have been "right" but in looking at your new, sharp photos, you have to presume a parasite. As Mel mentioned, you could have been seeing much slime coat excretion which has complicated the diagnosis to this point. Please don't beat yourself up over this; we ALL have our learning experiences, disasters, and lessons. You've done a great job.
2) Chilodenella vs. Glossatella, etc. but frankly, its not important to nail this down exactly. Instead, you need to treat empirically for parasitic condition (presumed illness category). No more antibiotics unless we suspect secondary becterial infection later on (which is a distinct possbility in some of your photos).
3) Your specimens are, sadly, very ill and you should be prepared for their loss.
4) Salt will inhibit some of these parasitic conditions, and you have little to lose by continuing to salt dose the tank at this juncture. I wouldn't risk any additional salt bathes moving forward; hit the tank. Besides, you can safely assume your entire stock is contaminated so a hospital tank is redundant at this time. I'd dose at 2 tsp per gallon (dissolved before addiiton to tank), the standard Tx. regimen for Ich. However, don't expect this to make a significant impact at this stage of the disease.
5) As mel mentions, many aquarists empirically treat new stock with Praziquantel. If you can find it, use it per label. Or, check to see if you can find a product that contains Metronidazole (aka Metro). I swear by Seachem's AquaZole:
http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/AquaZole.html
These will also spare your bacterial bed (you can see this is a strict requirement for the meds I use...)
Malachite Green and Meth Blue will work if you have no other options, but they are dicey and will absolutely discolor your silicone and decorations. Use all these meds with caution with inverts, especially Blue and Green despite any label safety indications.
EDIT: Just saw you've started Maclachite. Having started it, continue with it.
6) Keep up with daily water changes and replace salt/any meds. you use per volume of water removed and re-dose after the tank is refilled per label recommendation. Gravel vac and don't concentrate on feeding much until your fish take a turn for the better.
This is a good time to make my annual pitch for the Fish 1st Aid Kit: a basket of meds. to collect and store in-hand to use at the first sign of illness. Advantages include earlier treatment, less-scrambling when fish get ill, and access to meds. that in most cases are not commonly available at your LFS. My kit includes:
Salt (for Ich)
Aquazole
Kanaplex
Neoplex
The last three are almost impossible to find at your LFS, but can usually be ordered and will take weeks. Many can be ordered online (not from DFS but from BigAlsOnline). FYI these are some of the meds your LFS has in the back to treat their stock when things go very wrong (even though they will rarely admit to it).
Keep us updated and again, sorry for this turn.
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