Never had one, but I can point you in the direction of some info.
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fis...polypterus.htm
In all honesty, it's not the best to cycle a tank with fish - they have a fairly high risk of death and it's outright stressfull.
If you're going to cycle it with fish, at least kick-start the cycle with something that has the beneficial bacteria on it. That will help the cycle occur much more quickly.
You could, for example, take gravel from an established tank, put it in stockings/fine mesh bag, then leave it in the tank for a few days.