AVS Q&A with… Daniel Heba Itani

Although he hasn’t been working with Dendrobatids for a long time, Daniel has really jumped in the hobby and immersed himself in all things Oophaga.  I’m really excited to talk to him about his passion for large and small obligates.  Let’s go!

Daniel, thank you so much for doing this!  Several folks have messaged me since I started doing the Q&A saying that they wanted you to do this, so here we are!  Your passion for poison frogs is evident.  Like all of the guests, I like to start by asking hobbyists about their backgrounds, especially the trajectory that ultimately led to working with frogs and vivaria.  Tell us your background.  I know you were/are a reefer.

Thank you for having me. I have much respect and appreciation for your dedication to this hobby, and I’m sure many people agree! The way I started frogging was truly an unexpected thing, and it blows my mind to see what it has turned into. I was visiting a friend in Ohio, and it had been a while since I’d seen him. In his home was a 40g breeder full of tincs, jewels orchids, moss and so much more foliage. I truly just fell in love! Within days, I was out looking for my first vivarium and what frogs I wanted. The list was never ending. I put together what I thought at the time was a perfect build and began my search! Shortly after falling into some Oophaga pumilio ‘Las Tablas’, I truly fell in love. Although I work with reefs, exotics cats, and reptiles, it was a first for amphibians. I have been keeping saltwater reef tanks for almost ten years. There are so many gorgeous corals, but nothing excited me as much as poison frogs!

You work with large and small obligates.  Why did you decide to focus on Oophaga?

I truly have an obsession with watching them tend to their young. It is fascinating to me, and I also like the variability, never knowing what you may get from a certain locale. They can throw so many colors and patterns. It blows my mind and is always exciting to see what comes next!

Do you have a favorite species and/or locale?  Ok… what are your three favorite species/locales?

I no longer have just five or six frogs, so it’s a little hard to pick a favorite. Of course one of the crown jewels of the hobby in my opinion is ‘Bahia Solano’. They are for sure the top frog on the list. They are big, bold and definitely not afraid to come out in the tank for a stroll. Oophaga pumilio ‘Kusapin’ would easily be my second for their coloration and rather shocking confidence being almost smaller than Escudo. Oophaga granulifera ‘Quepos’ or, as Jason says, his avocados as my third. Nothing can compare to that green color, and their call is outstanding!

Do you like the build process?  Since you work with obligates, what are some of your favorite bromeliads?  How’s your plant game?

At first I wasn’t a huge fan to be honest, but after picking up some tips from the OGs, it has become a very fun process! I only use a line up Vriesea hieroglyphica, V. saundersii and many more as they hold water the best and have large axils that Oophaga love! I will get Neoregelia ‘Super Fireball’ from time to time because they hold water well and have larger axils! I have an addiction to Labisia, orchids, ferns, Marcgravia and some anthuriums. I feel like I have been buying more plants than frogs!  

Do you work with any other herps or animals?

I also work with Bengal cats. I was working with crested geckos, but unfortunately the love for the frogs was stronger, so I relocated them to new homes so I could make some more space for vivariums! 

I know you have a background in aquatics.  Do you have any tanks?  

At one point I had well over 1200 gallons of salt water flowing through my home. I only have a 7x3 grow out trough running at the moment and am setting up a 350 gallon display on the first floor . 

Who are some of your influences?  It can be froggers, aquarists, and any other people who have had a fundamental impact on your life.

I have met so many amazing people in the hobby, and I am impressed by the amazing things they can achieve. There are so many in this hobby who inspire me every day from their builds, husbandry, ideas, and the list goes on. I have to give much respect and appreciation to all the hobbyist putting a lot of time, thought, and dedication into this hobby . I can’t forget my amazing wife who supports my every move and idea! 

Lastly, how can we find you online?

I’m going to start a Facebook page but currently the only way to see our collection is on Instagram @highoffexotics.1! I also post in the Facebook groups from time to time.