Three new species of the mesopelagic fish genus Photonectes (Stomiidae, Melanostomiinae, subgenus Photonectes) are described from the Pacific Ocean with species descriptions augmented by new characters: origin of the IP-photophore series, gill-filament length, and jaw-tooth length. Photonectes coffea, new species (central equatorial, north, and western Pacific) has an elongate barbel with two bean-shaped light organs; IV photophores 37–39; dorsal-fin rays 12–13; no blue luminous tissue; one white luminous shoulder spot; all jaw teeth small canines; and gill filaments on first arch extending beyond opercular opening. Photonectes barnetti, new species (North Pacific Gyre) has an elongate barbel with a single ovoid bulb and a white area along the stem; IV photophores 37–39; dorsal-fin rays 13–15; no blue luminous tissue; one or two white luminous shoulder spots; jaw teeth of variable length; and reduced gill filaments on first arch. Photonectes corynodes, new species (central equatorial Pacific) is known from a single specimen and has a barbel with a single hourglass-shaped bulb and a bifid terminal filament, both branches ending in small light organs; IV photophores 34; dorsal-fin rays 15; no blue luminous tissue or white luminous shoulder spots; jaw teeth of variable length; and gill filaments neither reduced nor elongated. A key to the subgenus Photonectes is provided.