Do small corys need hiding places?

Thanks everyone. Added a pot today. It looks strangely natural among the plants. Hopefully my corys will explore it soon enough.

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there is a couple things i have done with my pots. first hit out the bottom which it looks like you did. the other is put half of it in the gravel to make smaller caves for the fish.
I understand knocking out the bottom... but why make the caves smaller?
 
If you were to buy a terracotta pot, can you just buy one from your local hardware shop?

What are the requirements of cleaning it before it enters the tank?
 
If you were to buy a terracotta pot, can you just buy one from your local hardware shop?

What are the requirements of cleaning it before it enters the tank?
I bought one from a nearby florist for about $1. I just washed mine off with hot water since I doubt there was anything more than dust on it.
 
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