Enguarde the Swordfish is a long-time recurring Animal Buddy that has aided the Kongs in almost all their underwater adventures. Enguarde has been around since the original Donkey Kong Country game and has returned in the rest of the trilogy, as well as in many games after it.

Enguarde possesses the ability to stab an underwater foe, which greatly aids exploration of underwater areas, as primates cannot hurt underwater foes regularly. In some later games, Enguarde can charge up its stab and release to open secret entrances to Bonus Rooms or just to travel a great distance, defeating enemies directly in front of it. Enguarde can also swim more precise than the heroes.