What is this white film?

[Just_Pete]

I am in day 3 of cycling my tank. I added one shrimp and a bottle of Bio Spira to the tank.

There's a jelly like cocoon around the shrimp and the water is definitely starting to smell fishy. I'm assuming this is a bacterial bloom, right?

There's also these white little bugs, almost copepod like, jumping around on the surface of the shrimp.

Is this normal and when should I take out the shrimp?

 

[reefpaddy]

In all the tanks I’ve cycled over the years, the shrimp will dissolve within about 10 days, I’ve never taken one out.

 

[Muttley000]

Me neither I always leave it in

 

[Just_Pete]

In all the tanks I’ve cycled over the years, the shrimp will dissolve within about 10 days, I’ve never taken one out.

Interesting. So the white jelly like film is normal, right?

 

[reefpaddy]

Probably just some type of bacteria and it starts to breakdown

 

[Just_Pete]

Looks like the shrimp is starting to disappear and the film is the only thing visible. Before I was able to see the red of the shrimp cocooned around the film.

Tested water parameters.

7.8 PH
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
0 Nitrate

I think I'll be ready soon.