How long can my son's fish survive without a filter?

My son has a 10 gallon aquarium with about 7 fish in it. they are live bearers. I know there are rummy nosed tetras and checkered barbs in there. This morning the filter started making a horrible screeching sound like metal grinding on metal and I am uming the motor went out. I am going to buy a new filter today but I needed to know if they could survive 12 or so hours without one. Thanks.