Well, yes and no. Stocking your tank with the best algae eaters – fish or invertebrates – is always a good idea and they make a nice addition to any aquarium. When planning your fish population, it makes sense to add a few of these guys. They are actually quite interesting to look at and to take care of. There is no need to purchase them for the sole purpose of keeping algae out of your aquarium. You can add them for visual reasons and watch them grow and interact with your other fish.
As with all fish that you will add to your aquarium, make sure to research the species to be certain that they will cohabitate well with your other fish species or that they won’t grow too big for your aquarium. Some of these species are known to grow fairly large so your tank size should be a major factor when choosing an algae eater.
Bottom line, adding a algae eating fish isn’t necessary, but they do make a nice addition to your tank. Adding an algae eater along with regular tank cleanings and water changes can result in a pristine aquatic environment.