The Indo-Pacific snapper genus Pinjalo is related to the genus Lutjanus, differing principally in its small upturned mouth and lack of caniniform teeth. It consists of 2 species, P. pinjalo (Bleeker) (an earlier name, P. typus Bleeker, is a nomen nudum) and P. lewisi, n. sp. The latter is distinguished by having a dorsal-ray count of XII,13 in contrast to XI,14 or 15 for pinjalo, and 8 or 9 anal soft rays in contrast to 9 or 10, usually 10, in pinjalo. In addition, the longest dorsal spine, the longest anal spine, and the pelvic fin are shorter, the pectoral fin longer, and the caudal fin less emarginate than in pinjalo. Pinjalo lewisi lacks diagonal dark lines on the nape and body as seen in pinjalo, and its fins are more red (those of pinjalo, especially the anal and pelvic fins, tend to be yellow). Pinjalo pinjalo occurs from the Persian Gulf to the western Pacific where it ranges from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to Taiwan. Pinjalo lewisi is known from the Laccadive Islands, Andaman Islands, Indonesia, western Sulu Sea, Philippines, Ryukyu Islands, New Britain, and Fiji.