M. boesemani is endemic to the Ayamaru Lakes and their tributaries in a mountainous region of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia.

The colour pattern is completely different from most other forms of rainbowfish, as it has a half orange-red rear and a bluish-grey or purple front which in some specimens is almost defined perfectly.

They are kept best in groups (with as much as or more females than males) due to their community and friendly nature and can be easily kept with many different species of fish, including some tetras.

Good tank mates include other rainbowfish, barbs, tetras, corydoras, snails, gouramis, danios, discus, guppies, swordtails, and loaches.

Rainbowfish have smaller mouths in proportion to their bodies, so feed them appropriate-sized foods—such as krill flakes, Vibra Bites, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp.