Read my section on ick at
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/health2.htm#paraI avoid using copper "medications." Many fish don't tolerate this poison well including most catfish. The white spots if they are small (the size of salt grains) would be ick. Scratching is common with ick but could indicate other parasites as well. The red gills may be due to water quality since your tank is new or possibly gill parasites. You tested the water. What were the results? Did you do pH, ammonia, and nitrite?
To treat ick, use a tablespoon of salt per gallon (per 2 gallons if you had any catfish or salt sensitive fish left). I assume you mean swordtails and not swordfish? Guppies, swordtails, and mollies all like a good amount of salt and can always have a tablespoon per gallon. Most barbs don't like salt as much could handle a tablespoon per 2-4 gallons. As I said, I wouldn't and haven't used copper products. I'm not sure if copper and salt together have any additional effects.