Do LPS corals actually belong on the sand bed?

[VSVP bet]

So this thought started after I purchased a Moseleya latistella coral. Did a lot of research and some members of R2R said that it actually doesn't do well on the sand bed (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/moseleya-coral.838800/).

This got me thinking. Out of all the corals in this hobby we like to keep on the sand bed (mostly LPS), how many of them actually grow on the sand in the wild? Does it even matter if they are on the sand or not? Does this make a difference in long-term health?

It seems that a lot of corals we keep on the sand don't grow on the sand in the wild.



pics:

Unusual Corals In Lembeh Strait | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The Lembeh Strait is a holy grail amongst scuba divers. This relatively small channel of water is home to the highest concentration of crazy critters known anywhere under the sea.

reefbuilders.com

Favia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

http://www.coralsoftheworld.org/species_factsheets/species_factsheet_summary/moseleya-latistellata/

 

[KrisReef]

Tongue corals and plate corals live on sandy slopes but most corals seem to thrive on the rocks.

 

[VSVP bet]

Tongue corals and plate corals live on sandy slopes but most corals seem to thrive on the rocks.

Yes true.

Fungia fungites - Common Mushroom Coral - by Patomarazul - JungleDragon

Fungia fungites - Common Mushroom Coral.

www.jungledragon.com

I wonder if some LPS corals are actually better suited for rocks than they are sand in tanks.

 

[encrustingacro]

Most fungiids, Trachyphyllia, Acanthophyllia, and Cynarina grow on soft substrates.

Also, some corrections for the Wikipedia article you linked:
Favia does not occur in the indo-pacific. All indo-pacific Favias have been moved to Dipsastraea, Favites, Astraeosmilia, Goniastrea etc. Favia favus is now Dipsastraea favus,

 

[shadyraro]

I have an elegance coral thats glued at the top of my rock, which is probably just over a foot high. It fully opens and seems fine where it is.