How many fish to use when cycling?

that should be fine. I cycled my 29 gallon tank with 6 zebra danios and three small swordtails and it was way too much for it. Zebra danios are great cyclers.

Do you have test kits? You need to test the water for ammonia and nitrite levels. When they start to climb do a water change. Don't let ammonia get over 1ppm and nitrite get over 0.25 ppm and your fish will stay healthy.

Also realize that each new fish after the cycle is completeled will cause another cycle to occur, so add new fish slowly and wait until ammonia and nitrite stay at zero 24 hours after a water change.

If you have some filter media from an established tank then add that, it will instantly kick that cycle into high gear and may even skip it.

Any fish can be a "great" cycler assuming you are diligent and look after it.

FREDDY?!?!?! YOU are doing a FISHY cycle?!!!!!! For shame for shame!!!! At least go got some bio-spira!

J/k, just make sure you test, man.

I once cycled a tank with a few shiners left over from a fishing trip and then went fishing with them (cruel right?). Bought new fish afterwards :idea2: way to use expendable fish (I'm sure they were happier in that cycling tank than in the tub at the bait shop, but now that I know more about fish diseases I probably wouldn't do it again).

I fishlessly cycled my 10 gallon salt next to the 10 gallon fresh. (done finally!!!!)
It reeked like unbrushed teeth.