Well both sides are correct, can Archer fish live in freshwater?...the answer is yes. Will they thrive in fresh water most likely no. I don't know their full lifespan. For example...we will say 10 years. So, someone buys one and keeps it in freshwater... it lives for 6 years. The fish owner brags I did it so it's ok. What about the other 4 years?
My final words are in if you really care about the fish keep him in his natural water conditions as much as possible.
i see where u are coming from, but who says these "tank born and raised" in freshwater archers arent in their natural conditions now?