My SO just installed a new in-ground pond in our SE FL backyard and we are hoping someone can help point us in the right direction with choosing plants and fish.

Pond Info:
The pond is 50 gallons and one of those pre-formed pond liners that can be found at the big box stores. It is already in the ground and we are in the process of installing the pond edging. My SO wants to build his own filter for the pond, so he is still brainstorming the easiest way to construct it. He plans to add a waterfall and a submersible pump will be added.

The pond will not receive sun until the mid-afternoon and probably another 4-5 hours afterwards in the summer. For the most part, the pond will receive a good deal of shade. There are no trees around it, save for a clump of areca palms about 6-8 feet away.

Fish Dilemma:
I am not crazy about the idea of having fish, if it involves a lot of work (we already have enough animals to take care of :)). SO would like some goldfish, but we are in disagreement as to whether our pond is big enough for 1-2 sarasa/comet gold fish. I don't want to re-home or euthanize fish that grow to be too big for the pond. Small mosquito fish are a possibility, but I am worried about 2 fish turning into a population of 200. I am thinking that 1 betta fish might not be a bad idea and easy to maintain. Also, since the pond is not so deep, I am thinking it might be difficult to have goldfish in our weather, since I can see the water temperature rising into the mid-80s mid-day; conversely it may get too cold for tropicals in the winter (like bettas). As you can see, I think we would really benefit from the advice of more experienced pond keepers. :)

Also, can anyone suggest pond plants suitable to a 50g pond?

Thanks in advance! :)

With some shade, perhaps helped by a taro or umbrella plant, I think the betta or any tropical fish would be okay in the summer, but you might have to bring them indoors during the winter if the water temps fall below 70. Considering how short your winters are there, it would not be for a very long time. If your winters are not severe, you could also try putting in a submersible aquarium heater, as long as you have a GFCI.

A betta will definitely clean up the mosquito larvae for you, since they absolutely LOVE live food. Whatever fish you choose, you will probably need to supliment their diet, though, because there will not always be larvae available in the water.

I've kept a betta in my patio lily pots, moving him from one pot to the next, and he did an excellent job of cleaning up the mosquito larvae, and seemed quite content. But when I brought him inside for the winter, he refused to eat the betta bites, and I had to get frozen brine shrimp for him.

With a pond the size of yours and with a filter and waterfall, I don't think you will have a mosquito problem at all, so I'm going to agree wtih ccoombs1 and suggest just a pond with plants. There are all kinds of plants you can put in a pond like that, including taro, umbrella palms, aquatic iris, arrowhead, arum, pickerel, etc.

ccoombs - would you elaborate the rationale for one fish per 50gal of water. I assume (rightly or not) size of the fish (room to swim around) and among of waste (bigger fish naturally puts more garbage) would dictate how many fish one could stock in a pond of given size. Sorry if I'm asking dumb question... just trying to learn along the way. And why wouldn't I want to keep fish in this particular pond if I'm located in S. FL?

Thanks!

Water lilies, snowflake, and floating hearts. These all bloom.

I googled and found this article. Maybe it will be helpful.

http://encyclopediaofwaterplants.com/index_files/Water_Plants_For_Tub_ Whiskey_Barrel.htm