Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, harbours complex intestinal bacterial communities, which are important in several physiological processes of their host. Intestinal microbiota of grass carp have been previously described in numerous studies. However, an overview on the bacterial community diversity, including their establishment, their functions in host's nutritional processes and immune-related responses, and use as probiotics, is absent. This study aimed to summarize the current understanding of the grass carp intestinal microbiota. In this review, we provide general information on the establishment and composition of intestinal microbial communities and factors influencing the diversity of gut microbiota. Also, this review covers the dietary effects of probiotics, prebiotics and/or synbiotics on the grass carp intestinal microbial communities and physiological characteristics. Although our knowledge of the grass carp intestinal microbiota is expanding rapidly, further studies on the factors affecting the diversity of intestinal microbes, interactions between intestinal microbiota and their hosts and application of probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics in aquaculture industry, are needed.