A mini cycle just means that the bacteria colony was disturbed enough to not be able to handle the entire bio load, not that you have to cycle all over again...which is why you can show trace amounts of ammonia and still see nitrate.Thing is. I have Nitrates, not Nitrites. If a cycle hits... I think some of my fish would die off on me, kuhli loaches do not like cycles nor do the chiclids.
Even if the ammonia isn't directly causing the fin damage, it still is a stressor and will make it harder for them to heal.