Fabricius based his description on the notes of Peter Forsskål who had died while on an expedition, which Neibuhr was also a member of, to Arabia.

The goldsilk sea bream is dependent on estuaries and is found on areas of sand and mud substrates as deep as 50 m (160 ft).

[1] Acanthopagrus berda is a predatory species with just over half the prey recorded being crustacea, mainly crabs and barnacles, and bivalves, mussels in the genus Modiolus and oysters.

[9] This species is a protandrous hermaphrodite,[2] with functional males being most numerous in smaller size classes.

[10] Acanthopagrus berda is a popular species for recreational anglers which does not seem to be subjected to heavy fishing pressure.