Hi
There are so many choices it's tough to make suggestions. Keep in mind the size of your pond as most water plants are highly invasive
Check out "Victoria adventure" website also located in Florida with all kinds of info on all things aquatic. gary

I am just west of you. I have Wakins, shubunkins, comets, fantails, Orandas, Ryukins and 2 Koi-hybrids. I also have water lilies, hardys and tropical, lotus, Louisanna Iris, varigated sweet flag, drawf papyrus, Lizzard Tail, Primrose Creeper, horsetail rush, corkscrew rush, mini rosette hyacinths, chameleon plant, black taro and others that I can't recall names right now. The only thing I have a problem with is the Primrose Creeper being eaten bare by some kind of little tiny bugs. Glenda

To keep koi, you might check out either of the two obvious koi forums where you can look over posts by experienced keepers, they are quite demanding on a pond and its water quality. You really need to know what you are letting yourself in for with fast growing big fish

Victoria Adventure is of little use. While there is some merit in looking at a bunch of photos and labels, without accurate cultivation information, the photo's are pointless.

Short of locating a specialist nursery on your doorstep, or picking up a decent book on the subject by a well respected author such as Slocum, Swindells or Speichert, the easiest route to finding out what would grow well in your location is to chat up some of the specialist collectors who list on ebay for the best choice, information, availability and prices, for sure

Don't be surprised to find a suitable well chosen waterlily for $10 on ebay, compared to the silly nursery prices of upwards of $20 for who knows what from who knows where

Jake, if you decide on a preform, it probably won't be big enough to keep koi, since they tend to get quite large. You can keep any of the species of goldfish (there are many to choose from) or mosquito fish.

With caution, you might be able to keep tropical fish, such as guppies, mollies, platties, gouramis, danios, etc and a single betta. Bear in mind, they might need to be brought in during the winter, though. They don't do well if the water gets much below 70.

Planterjake, you might consider researching some basic pond gardening books, or joining a local pond club. The Gardeners of Southwest Florida group schedules many interesting gardening classes, including instructions for creating beautiful fishponds in your own garden. The classes and everything else in this group are free for everyone: instant membership, informative classes, plant exchanges, light foods, soft drinks, etc. All expenses are paid by the leaders of the group, Peter Kacalanos and Suzanne Cherney, to encourage Floridians to become better gardeners and pond owners. If you ever ponder about becoming a ponder with more than a preformed plastic pond, you can instantly join this group for free, with no obligation, and learn everything you need to know.

Over 1,300 families with gardens around Naples and Fort Myers are already members of Gardeners of Southwest Florida. Two-hour classes are held in the gardens of different members every time, usually on weekends, two or three times a month throughout the year. In that way, members and visitors can see the many different plants that can be grown in the semi-tropical environment of this area. The pond classes show the wide variety of methods available for creating ponds, and the many water lilies and other flowering aquatic plants, with several species of fish that will beautify your water garden.

Ponds can be as simple as a large tub planted with dwarf water lilies, or larger projects limited only by the size of your garden. If you are ambitious, your pond can feature a fountain, a stream, a waterfall, an island, a bridge, or whatever additions you prefer. It can be bordered by a beach, or by a boggy area covered with flowering plants whose roots want constantly wet soil. Ponds naturally balanced with enough plants and fish need no electrical connections or pumps or filters, and no fertilizers for the plants nor commercial foods for the fish, making them virtually care-free.

That describes the ponds in the Naples garden of the group leaders, which are shown if these photographs. Further information about the Gardeners of Southwest Florida group, including hundreds of photos and full details of the 123 past and upcoming classes are shown on the extensive and informative website of the group at www.meetup.com/FloridaGardeners. New members are always welcome at this free club. You can see which clubs are available in you own area, and sign up to meet and exchange information with other local ponders.